Description:

Warren Harding
Washington, D.C., June 7, 1923
Warren G. Harding TLS Dated 2 Weeks Before Embarking on "Voyage of Understanding," Less Than 2 Months Before His Death
TLS

A 1p typed letter signed by sitting 29th U.S. President Warren G. Harding (1865-1923) as "Warren G Harding" at lower right. June 7, 1923. Washington, D.C. Typed on watermarked bifold paper with embossed "The White House / Washington" letterhead. Expected wear including light toning and flattened transmittal folds. Several partial paper clip impressions are located along the top edge and there are minor isolated stains found on the blank leaves within. Else near fine. 6.875" x 8.875."

President Harding wrote this letter on June 7, 1923, about two weeks before embarking on his Western public relations tour, dubbed the "Voyage of Understanding." Harding would travel throughout the Western United States and Canada by special presidential railcar and by U.S. Navy transport ship. During the last six weeks of his life, from June 20th until his death on August 2nd, the president visited 11 states, as far north as Alaska, as far south as Kansas, as far east as Missouri, and as far west as California. Harding's main objective in undertaking the "Tour of the President to Alaska" was to campaign for the 1924 presidential election, although he also wanted to divert public opinion away from several unfortunate political scandals back in Washington, D.C.

In this letter, Harding wrote to John A. Stewart about an individual called "Mr. Whitehouse" who was planning on donating a substantial collection of "historical Americana" to an American university, yet to be determined. Perhaps Harding's impending Western tour inspired him to suggest the University of Wisconsin (today the University of Wisconsin-Madison) as an institution worthy of receiving Mr. Whitehouse's collection; Harding classified this public Ivy as a "western one."

In part:

"It has occurred to me that you may be consulted as to details about disposal of this collection of materials which Mr. Whitehouse intends presenting to an American university, preferably a western one. May I venture in confidence that if, through your good offices, the donor could be induced to consider especially the claims of the University of Wisconsin, it would be particularly pleasing. As you know, Wisconsin has probably the finest library of historical Americana possessed by any western institution; in some regards doubtless superior to any American institution's collection… I venture this suggestion for such treatment as your own judgment may dictate…"

The identity of "Mr. Whitehouse" is unknown, as is the type and scope of his museum-quality collection of Americana material. We know much more about President Harding's correspondent. John Appleton Stewart (1865-1928) was an American manufacturer with manifold civic, patriotic, and political interests. Stewart was a founding member of the Sulgrave Institution, an organization established around 1914 to foster goodwill between Americans and the British; to commemorate mutually important anniversaries and events; and to preserve the ancestral home of George Washington in Northamptonshire, England. In addition, Stewart served as the president of the New York State League of Republican Clubs for 26 years. It is likely through this Republican Party connection that Harding and Stewart knew each other.

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: 6.875" x 8.875"
  • Medium: TLS

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