Lot 112

Truman Invokes Lincoln to Reassure Philip Perlman, the First Jewish U.S. Solicitor General: "the truth prevailed just as Honest Abe said"

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Truman Invokes Lincoln to Reassure Philip Perlman, the First Jewish U.S. Solicitor General: "the truth prevailed just as Honest Abe said"

Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000

Starting Bid: $1,000

(0 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Harry Truman
White House, July 21, 1949
Truman Invokes Lincoln to Reassure Philip Perlman, the First Jewish U.S. Solicitor General: "the truth prevailed just as Honest Abe said"
Signed print

Harry Truman lengthy inscription to his Solicitor General on a printed Abraham Lincoln quote. 11.625" x 15.25"; The White House; July 21, 1949. Large print of one of Abraham Lincoln's most famous quotes, inscribed to Philip B. Perlman, the first Jewish U.S. Solicitor General. Truman's lengthy inscription speaks to his contentious relationship with the "vicious press" and aligns his legacy with a pantheon of his predecessors in office. Slight offsetting, with dampstaining affecting some of Truman's writing, but remaining legible. Minor adhesive staining on the verso.

The Lincoln quote reads:

"If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business.

I do the very best I know how---the very best I can, and I mean to keep doing so until the end.

If the end brings me out all right, what's said against me won't amount to anything.

If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference."

Below which Truman writes in full:

"To Hon. Philip B. Perlman, Solicitor General:--

Never was anything more truly said. Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Grover Cleveland, Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt and myself have all suffered from a hostile and vicious press. It has taken a century and more to get the truth about Jefferson & Jackson. Lincoln and Grover Cleveland were even more viciously attacked but the truth prevailed just as Honest Abe said it would.

Harry Truman, White House, July 21, 1949."

Although examples of decorative prints signed by Truman for his Cabinet and White House staff are not uncommon, we could not find any other examples of this Lincoln quote. And certainly, none with such a personal and pointed inscription.

Perlman became the first Jewish U.S. Solicitor General when Truman appointed him in 1947. In his private practice, he was noted for civil rights cases. During his time in the Truman administration, he chaired the President's Commission on Immigration and Naturalization, and his office also worked to advance the administration's civil rights program. As a result, Perlman sometimes attracted negative press, especially in the South.

The plainspoken Truman had a contentious and complicated relationship with the press, but he recognized the important role they played in maintaining a strong democracy. In fact, he had proposed expanding the West Wing in 1945 to include a studio and auditorium for press briefings.
With this inscription to Perlman, Truman aligns both himself and his embattled Solicitor General with a pantheon of presidents vilified in their own day but redeemed by history.

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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  • Dimensions: 15.25" x 11.625"
  • Medium: Signed print

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