July 2013 Auction Ends Tuesday, July 23rd, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2013
Dwight D. Eisenhower WWII autograph letter signed as Lt. General and Commander of the European Theatre of Operations. From London during the earlier part of his tenure overseas in the late summer of 1942, he writes to his wife, Mamie. The letter runs the gamut of topics, from Eisenhower's state of mind and office decor, to his instructions to her for the care of their car while he prepares to command the Allied invasion of North Africa 2 months later. It reads in part: ''Darling...It's impossible for me to tell you how tremendously I miss you. I'm so infrequently in my room that I brought your picture (with [son] John) to the office. It sits on a mantle, right in front of my eyes. And it helps. Here in my office I have also pictures of the President - General Marshall and Admiral King, all autographed...I realize that these notes are little in the way of literary missives, nor is it possible in them to give you a real idea of my daily life. It is a hard grind, but the only times I get really worn down is when, in spite of hard work, no progress is immediately noticeable. But we are going ahead. [My assistants] Butch & Lee, between them, are keeping a rather elaborate diary. It may mean nothing to anyone else, but someday it will be interesting to you & to me - and will certainly fill in, for you, the gaps these letters leave. So far as I know they account for every minute of my day...By the way, I think I did not tell you before that when I came over here our plane flew directly up the river in front of West Point. We had a grand view of the place and I wondered whether J. may have happened to notice us. Also - in spite of our turn, when we took off at Bolling, I could see small figures and movement in the open space around the flag pole at Myer. From all I've heard you are comfortably fixed. I'm so glad! What did you do about the car. Tires, batteries & weekly turn over of the engine have to be watched if you hang on to it. A small bit of running every other day or so would be best. Lots of love to you...And do send me news when you can. This is a lonely existence...I live in a gold fish bowl...I love you / Always / Your / Ike''. Harry ''Butch'' Butcher betrayed Eisenhower in his 1946 book ''My Three Years With Eisenhower,'' the content of which was taken from his diary that Ike references here. Letter includes original envelope, signed ''Gen. DD Eisenhower'' to the return address section, and addressed in his hand to ''Mrs. Dwight D Eisenhower''. Postmarked 24 September 1942. 4pp. letter on ruled stationery measures 6'' x 9''. Blurring to a small section of ink on the right side of the first page not affecting legibility. Very good condition.
Dwight Eisenhower WWII 4pp. Autograph Letter Signed -- ''...our plane flew...in front of West Point...This is a lonely existence...I live in a gold fish bowl...'' -- With Envelope Twice Signed by Ike
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