July 2013 Auction Ends Tuesday, July 23rd, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2013
Intimate Dwight D. Eisenhower handwritten letter to his wife after the birth of their first child in 1917. Signed ''Your lover'', letter includes envelope hand-addressed by Eisenhower to ''Mrs. D.D. Eisenhower'' and also from ''Capt. D.D. Eisenhower''. From Civilian Training Camp at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, the 27 year-old's tender letter reads in full: ''Darling Girl - Received Mother's letter (special) this morning and it was as enthusiastically received as it was sent. I'm surely glad that the young scoundrel can howl - and as long as it is a boy - the big hands and feet can't hurt him much. Though how in the world Mother can tell that it 'looks like us both' is more than I can see. Just wait until I get home, I'll start teaching him boxing pronto. I have been in such a terrible rush I can't get on my feet. I'll write to Dad as soon as possible - but I am even stealing the time to write you. My baggage just arrived, and as it has rained steadily since I arrived, you can imagine what I look like. I haven't been out of camp since arriving. Don't want to go - and wouldn't have time if I did. Honey please don't try to walk around too soon. Will you? You must be awfully careful, for you must be well & strong when I come home. We'll surely have a good time when I do come. Mother has surely been sweet and lovely during it all - and tell her we 'lub' her more than ever. We think she is great, don't we? Tell her I refuse to call her grandma. I put in my pay voucher rather late, but had it sent to Lockwood as usual. So I reckon you'll have some money soon. When I get my travel pay, it will run me for a while. I guess Mother has sent my overcoat. It gets mighty cold here in the mornings & evenings. The day Mr. Young One arrived in this world, his fond father was sloshing up and down the coldest, wettest, 'slipperiest' trenches in the US. Gee! it was awful, and I slept a couple hours that night, with a little piece of canvas for a cover. You tell mother you bet I'm a fond father. Goodbye for now - I love you - love you, love you, awful much. Goodbye - love to Mother & son. Your lover''. Lot includes the original envelope, made out in Eisenhower's hand to ''Mrs. D.D. Eisenhower''. He also writes his name on the return address line as ''Capt. D.D. Eisenhower''. He dates the letter 27 September, and the envelope is postmarked 27 September 1917. Tragically, the Eisenhowers' first son died of scarlet fever at age 4. Their second son, however, followed in his father's footsteps, attending West Point and even serving alongside Dwight in WWII. 2pp. letter measures 8'' x 10.5''. Light toning and creasing. Very good.
Dwight Eisenhower Autograph Letter to His Wife Following Birth of Their First Child -- ''...glad that the young scoundrel can howl...wait until I get home, I'll start teaching him boxing pronto...''
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