Description:

Herbert Hoover
[New York, NY], June 3, 1941
Herbert Hoover TLS On Eve of WWII: "These are indeed troublous [sic] times and I believe that our country is facing a greater crisis than ever before in its history"
TLS

A 1p typed letter signed by former 31st U.S. President Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) as "Herbert Hoover" at center. June 3, 1941. [New York, New York.] Typed on watermarked stationery with "Herbert Hoover" embossed letterhead. The presumed letter recipient has made a pencil notation about the letter near the bottom. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds. Scattered non-rusted paper clip impressions, with a small area of discoloration affecting the top horizontal fold, else near fine. 7.25" x 10.625." Provenance: Ex-James Smalldon, 1967.

Ex-President Herbert Hoover had delivered a speech to the American people entitled "The Immediate Relation of the United States to This War" via an NBC radio broadcast on Sunday night, May 11, 1941. In this letter, Hoover thanks a well-wisher from Steamboat Springs, Colorado named W.I. Hoklas for his sympathetic comments about the speech. Hoover's broadcast was also published in an 8pp printed pamphlet.

Hoover wrote in part:

"I was very glad indeed to have your most kind letter. And I want you to know how much I appreciate your most encouraging remarks.

These are indeed troublous times and I believe that our country is facing a greater crisis than ever before in its history…"

In the late 1930s, Hoover had vehemently opposed any American involvement in a potential war, and this opposition extended to selling U.S. supplies to European nations, exerting any influence in quelling Nazi aggression, and building alliances with the U.S.S.R. in case war broke out. Hoover believed that his successor Roosevelt's foreign policy position was driving the United States towards war in both Europe and the Pacific Theatre.

By the Spring 1941, Hoover still maintained his fundamental anti-war message but had changed his opinion about related matters, like America's armament of Great Britain. In his "The Immediate Relation of the United States to This War" speech, Hoover argued that America must not go to war, and the best way to keep the country out of the conflict was by propping up Britain. According to Hoover, America was too under-prepared militarily to do anything but furnish supplies to Britain. He stated in part: "We are not prepared to go to war. Our industry will not be tuned up for another eight or ten months to produce enough of the tools of war to equip our own defense and at the same time supply the needs of Britain. We do not have 300,000 men who are sufficiently equipped with planes, tanks, and guns to meet 300,000 Germans, to say nothing of victory over 5,000,000 of them…" Besides the obvious concerns about an underdeveloped American military infrastructure, Hoover said that the nation was too divided over the war question to commit itself 100% to what he envisioned would become "… a total war [one] that means every energy of a people must be mobilized…"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 7.25" x 10.625"
  • Medium: TLS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

October 8, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000