Description:

Roosevelt Franklin

Franklin D. Roosevelt DS to Basil O'Connor Regarding Donation to Georgia Warm Springs Foundation

 

1p DS on "The White House, Washington" notepaper signed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945) as "FdR" at center bottom. The cream watermarked paper has been stamped and docketed in pencil at top. Accompanied by a copy of the original donation letter, and a ca. 1944 informational pamphlet entitled The Story of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, Inc. In near fine condition overall, with expected paper folds and minor ghost paper clip impressions. The White House note measures 5.25" x 8".

 

On May 8, 1941, President Roosevelt dictated the following message to Basil O'Connor, the Vice-President and Treasurer of the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation: "I am enclosing herewith a copy of a letter from Mr. Charles Engelhard, together with his check for $15,000, which represents the balance of his gift to the Foundation to erect a laundry. I have sent him a personal letter of thanks. FdR."

 

Metals mogul Charles Engelhard, Sr. had written President Roosevelt two days previously enclosing the check. He had written: "I now take great pleasure in adding thereto another check for $15,000 -- to the order of the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, on behalf of myself and Engelhard Industries, so that a laundry, as per the suggestion of Mr. Basil O'Connor might be erected immediately…"

 

The ca. 1944 informational pamphlet entitled The Story of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, Inc. is a  10pp accordion brochure with an introduction by Basil O'Connor likening sudden outbreaks of infantile paralysis among American soldiers to a "Home-Front Blitz!" 

 

Roosevelt frequently visited Warm Springs, the site of a natural hot spring in western central Georgia. After Roosevelt had contracted polio in 1921, he sought out the hot (88° F) and mineral-rich waters of Warm Springs to soothe and revitalize his partially paralyzed legs almost every year between 1924-1945.

 

Roosevelt responded well to the hydrotherapy, but was dismayed to find out that the cure was too expensive for some. In 1926, FDR purchased the springs, land, and buildings at Warm Springs. He collaborated with friends to establish the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation (now the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation) the following year. The mission of the Foundation was to provide low-cost treatment to polio patients.

 

Basil O'Connor (1892-1972) was a New York lawyer who befriended Roosevelt in the early 1920s. O'Connor was one of the original contributors to the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation. In 1940, he sat on its Executive Committee and Board of Trustees and served as its Vice President and Treasurer. When he wasn't acting as Roosevelt's informal legal advisor as part of his famous Brain Trust, O'Connor expertly fundraised for various charities. He later chaired the American Red Cross.

 

Charles Engelhard, Sr. (d. 1950), also known as the "Platinum King," was Founder and President of Engelhard Hanovaria and Engelhard Minerals & Chemicals Company. Engelhard had consolidated several New Jersey-based metal refineries in the early 1900s, and built a $20 million business refining platinum, gold, silver, and other precious metals. In addition to being a donor to the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, Engelhard also served on its Executive Committee and Board of Trustees.

 

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