Description:

President-Elect Hoover Scrapbook: 1 Hoover TLS, 4 Lou Hoover ALS & TLS, 1 Harlan Stone Signed, and Many More!

A large red leather scrapbook album, measuring 9" x 12", entitled "Saunterer Trips and Hoover Inauguration". The album was put together by members of the Milbank family, who were close friends with the Hoovers. President-Elect Herbert Hoover had a few extra weeks to spare before his inauguration and chose to spend the time in Florida on a "working vacation". He arrived in Miami on January 22, 1929, and was given access to J.C. Penny's Bell Isle Italianate villa. In addition to preparing his Inaugural Address and wrapping up Cabinet appointments, Hoover set out to complete his main goal: catching a sailfish. The President-Elect was an avid fisherman but had been foiled in his attempts to catch the fish on his five previous Florida trips. Accompanying Hoover on the trip was his wife, Lou, and a group of close friends, including the Milbanks, Chief Justice Harlan F. Stone, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Rickard, and Governor James Goodrich. Herbert Hoover Jr. also joined the group later in the trip. During the voyage, Hoover would also pay his respects to Thomas Edison on his birthday (February 11th). After a successful holiday, he returned to Washington, D.C. on February 18th and was inaugurated on March 4, 1929.

The scrapbook is a compilation of letters (typed and handwritten), photographs, programs and documents, and numerous newspaper clippings. Highlights from the volume are below:

Herbert Hoover TLS "Herbert Hoover". Washington, D.C., dated June 16, 1928. Addressed to Jeremiah Milbank, in full: "I wish you to know at this early moment how deeply I appreciate not only your telegram of congratulations but the very fine support you have given me in the past months."

Harlan Fisk Stone ALS "Harlan F Stone". Washington, D.C., dated February 5, 1929. Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Milbank, thanking them for their hospitality in Florida. On official Supreme Court of the United States letterhead.

Lou Hoover ALS "Lou Henry Hoover". Miami, Florida, dated February 7, 1929. Addressed to Kitty Milbank, in part: "We are going to miss you so very much. But even more than that in our minds is the fact that you are made unhappy by these various illnesses, especially your mother's. We all much hope she is on the road to a rapid recovery…I am quite ready to play with your scheme by encouraging our all going on with the trip, -not 'the same as tho' you were here', but the best that we can without you! Please be assured it won't be the same thing at all with you gone!..."

Lou Hoover ALS "LHH". No place, n.d. Addressed to Kitty Milbank, in full: "So sorry, my dear! I hope you have the most reassuring wires today; and don’t have to go! Both for your mother's sake and ours!"

Lou Hoover TLS "Lou Henry Hoover". Miami, Florida, n.d. Addressed to Jeremiah Milbank, in part: "I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea if Boris and my maid take out to the Saunterer before we go away, most of the things that Mr. Hoover and I are going to want on the trip, to save packing them up in suitcases and dragging them down to the boat by automobile…Some films have come back from being processed. So won't you come in about six o'clock and we can work at them before dinner."

Lou Hoover ALS "L.H.H." No place, n.d. A signed business card to Kitty Milbank inscribed: "Hoping you'll never need it! But that it will be effective if you do!"

Other letters included in the scrapbook are from Edgar and Abby Rickard, Mildred Hall (Lou Hoover's secretary), E.G. Lowery, and others. There are also a group of inaugural items owned by the Milbanks, including an Inaugural invitation, an invitation from the Inaugural Committee and from the Inaugural Charity Ball Committee, a Committee Guest yellow ribbon, a seating card, and an official inaugural program. There is also a booklet on prohibition written and published by Milo O. Bennet. Four photographs of the trip and of an elderly Hoover accompany the scrapbook. Finally, the scrapbook is filled with newspaper clippings, dating from January 31 to February 12, 1929, documenting Hoover's trip to Florida. The letters in the collection have expected mail folds and some light soiling or toning. A number of the envelopes have small tears or wear. Adhesive residue on the backs of some pieces. Newspaper clippings are toned with some soiling. Overall, the scrapbook is in very good condition and would make a fine addition to any presidential collection.

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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