July 2013 Auction Ends Tuesday, July 23rd, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2013
Dwight D. Eisenhower touching handwritten letter signed as a brand new father to Mamie, his wife. He signs the letter ''Your Lover'' but writes his full name in the body of the text as he discusses naming their newborn son. ''D D Eisenhower'' also appears twice on the envelope, written in his hand. Dated Tuesday night the 25th (with envelope postmarked 26 September 1917), he writes as a Captain from the Civilian Training Camp in Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia: ''Dearest Sweetheart! First of all I'll explain why I have not written. I arrived Sunday, and was sent immediately to the trenches, and didn't get out until tonight. I could leave them under NO circumstances. It was wet, cold, and rained the whole time. To complicate matters, my baggage has not yet arrived, so I had nothing except what I had on when I left home. Just before I left the trenches, Mother's telegram was brought to me. You could have knocked me over with a feather. Why you sweet little old girl, somehow it doesn't seem possible. How I wish I could come see you and 'IT'. I grabbed a chance to send you a telegram Mon. eve, and I sent a night letter tonight. I surely hope you regain your strength soon. Gee! I'm crazy to see you. So far I haven't had a minute to get in a pay voucher, but when I can, I'll have the money sent to Lockwood as usual. Bless mothers heart, she sent me the sweetest telegram. Tell her I sure do 'lub' her. And oh yes! Tell her please to mail the overcoat to me Thursday. Tell her 'Thank you' for that. Merillat & I are living together in a nine by nine tent. He is a godsend, for I'm using his stuff. I hope the GM soon gets mine. I'm wondering exactly what you will call the BOY. I know it will be 'Doud' [Mamie's maiden name] for the sake of The Folks, and I think it will be fine. I hope you give him a middle name either beginning with D. or J. If it is D. then he can sign this name DD Eisenhower Jr., but if it is J. then it will be all same as my Dad's, 'D.J.' Anyway, I'll love the name and Him (no matter what you call him) but most of all, I'll love YOU. I've sent you 100, 483, 491, 342 kisses since I've been gone. I know that isn't very many sweet thing, but I've been so frightfully busy, and I had to send 'em when I could get a chance. Please teach OUR son to like [popular song] 'Sheltering Palms'. Millions of kisses & lots of love to you & 'muvver'. Your Lover - YOU BET''. A postscript in his hand squeezed into the margin on the first page reads: ''Tell Mother I signed the telegram 'Dwight' - cause the last word in the telegram was 'she' and I wanted it to all get there.'' Tragically, baby Doud Eisenhower only lived to age 4 before succumbing to scarlet fever. Their second son, however, attended West Point as did Ike, and even served alongside him in WWII. The original envelope is included in the lot. 3pp. letter measures 8'' x 10.5''. Toning and creasing. Very good.
Eisenhower 1917 Autograph Letter Signed to Mamie After Their Son's Birth -- ''...Why you sweet little old girl, somehow it doesn't seem possible. How I wish I could come see you and 'IT'...''
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