Description:

John J. Pershing 2x Signed ALS to Battle Monuments Commissioner Re: FDR's Inauguration

A 1p autograph letter signed by retired General of the Armies John J. "Black Jack" Pershing (1860-1948), the first time as "John J Pershing" near the center; and the second time initialed as "JJP" in the postscript. March 1, 1933. [Tucson, Arizona.] On a leaf of watermarked hotel stationery with "Arizona Inn / Tucson, Arizona" printed at the letterhead. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, even toning, and minor isolated edge darkening, else near fine. 7.25" x 10.5." Accompanied by an eBay invoice dated February 2000.

Pershing was wintering in Tucson, Arizona when he wrote this letter to John Philip Hill (1879-1941), a former U.S. Congressman from Maryland with whom Pershing had served on the American Battle Monuments Commission committee since its creation in 1923.

Pershing wrote in part:

"My Dear John Philip -

Many thanks for the letter from you and Suzanne [referring to Hill's wife, Suzanne Howell Carroll]. I appreciate your sympathy and your kindness. I shall hope to see you both upon my return to Washington.

With warm regards to you both, believe me

Cordially yours
John J Pershing

P.S. I have been suffering a lot with rheumatism and am just recovering from an attack of bronchitis, thats [sic] why I did not got to the Inauguration - Hope it went off well,

JJP."

The "Inauguration" referred to by Pershing is almost certainly the first presidential inauguration of 32nd U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945), who was inaugurated in Washington, D.C. three days later, on March 4, 1933. In the letter, Pershing uses the past tense to describe events which had not yet happened, i.e. the inauguration. This is most likely a grammatical oversight.

Pershing served as chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission from 1923-1948. The purpose of the commission, which consisted of eight committee members including both civilians and military personnel, was to oversee the design and construction of military monuments dedicated to fallen American servicemen overseas. Hill sat on the committee even after his three terms as a Maryland Congressman (1921-1927) had ended. Hill was also a World War I veteran.

John J. Pershing was the most highly decorated American service member in 1933. After commanding the American Expeditionary Force during World War I, Pershing was promoted to the rank of General of the Armies in 1919. This was a brilliant capstone to a successful 40-year-long military career served on three continents. He recalled his service in "My Experience in the World War," which won the Pulitzer Prize in History in 1932.

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.

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