GAJS.COM Web Catalogue Harry Truman

TRUMAN, HARRY S. (1884-1972). Thirty-third President of the United States (1945-53). Exceptional Typed Letter Signed, “Capt. Harry,” on his name-imprinted stationery, with a lengthy postscript written in Truman’s hand. One page, quarto. Independence, Missouri, June 15, 1962. Excellent condition. To “Honorable Edward D. McKim, Box 204, Sioux Narrows, Ontario, Canada.” Truman writes:

“Dear Ed: Thanks for the note and clipping about Old Joe. The admiration is mutual! I hope everything is going well with you and I am sure it is. Sincerely yours, Capt. Harry. [The following postscript is written in Truman’s hand]: Wish I were where you are! But I can’t be there. Just came back from Bill Hillman’s funeral and a whingding for Matt McClockey who is to be ambassador to Ireland. As you know, he’s former treasurer of the Dem[ocratic] Com[mittee]. He said if my friends came to Ireland he’d roll out the ‘Green Carpet.’ He expects to burn all the red ones.”

After serving two terms as President of the United States, Harry Truman retired to his mother-in-law’s home in Independence, Missouri, and began work on a memoir of his time in the Oval Office. With WILLIAM HILLMAN [(1895-1962), American journalist and news commentator] working as his editor and assistant, Truman produced three books in short order, Mr. President (1952), Memoirs (1955-1956), and Mr. Citizen (1960), as well as numerous syndicated newspaper and magazine articles. In addition to this association with Truman’s well received literary endeavors, our letter also relates to Truman’s service in World War One. As Captain of the 129th Field Artillery Regiment (1917-1919), Truman proved himself an able leader, and ensured that not one of the soldiers under his command suffered a casualty under his watch. These experiences earned Truman a number of lifelong friends, including our letter’s recipient, EDWARD D. MCKIM [(1895-1969)]. Serving under Captain Harry Truman in the 129th, and later in the Reserve Corps, the two men became fast friends. Upon Truman’s election in 1945, McKim served as Chief Administrative Assistance to the President and as Administrative Assistant to the Federal Loan Administration, before serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Company (1950-53). Lastly, our letter makes reference to MATTHEW MCCLOCKEY [(1893-1973), American political figure]. A close friend of John F. Kennedy, McCloskey was a major fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee (In 1934 he organized the first $100-a-plate-dinner), and served as the Committee’s secretary in 1954. The year Truman penned this letter, McCloskey had just been appointed as Ambassador to Ireland by President Kennedy, a post he held until 1964. A truly unique and diverse group of associations.


TRUMAN, HARRY S. (1884-1972). Thirty-third President of the United States (1945-53). Exceptional Typed Letter Signed, “Capt. Harry,” on his name-imprinted stationery, with a lengthy postscript written in Truman’s hand. One page, quarto. Independence, Missouri, June 15, 1962. Excellent condition. To “Honorable Edward D. McKim, Box 204, Sioux Narrows, Ontario, Canada.” Truman writes: “Dear Ed: Thanks for the note and clipping about Old Joe. The admiration is mutual! I hope everything is going well with you and I am sure it is. Sincerely yours, Capt. Harry. [The following postscript is written in Truman’s hand]: Wish I were where you are! But I can’t be there. Just came back from Bill Hillman’s funeral and a whingding for Matt McClockey who is to be ambassador to Ireland. As you know, he’s former treasurer of the Dem[ocratic] Com[mittee]. He said if my friends came to Ireland he’d roll out the ‘Green Carpet.’ He expects to burn all the red ones.” After serving two terms as President of the United States, Harry Truman retired to his mother-in-law’s home in Independence, Missouri, and began work on a memoir of his time in the Oval Office. With WILLIAM HILLMAN [(1895-1962), American journalist and news commentator] working as his editor and assistant, Truman produced three books in short order, Mr. President (1952), Memoirs (1955-1956), and Mr. Citizen (1960), as well as numerous syndicated newspaper and magazine articles. In addition to this association with Truman’s well received literary endeavors, our letter also relates to Truman’s service in World War One. As Captain of the 129th Field Artillery Regiment (1917-1919), Truman proved himself an able leader, and ensured that not one of the soldiers under his command suffered a casualty under his watch. These experiences earned Truman a number of lifelong friends, including our letter’s recipient, EDWARD D. MCKIM [(1895-1969)]. Serving under Captain Harry Truman in the 129th, and later in the Reserve Corps, the two men became fast friends. Upon Truman’s election in 1945, McKim served as Chief Administrative Assistance to the President and as Administrative Assistant to the Federal Loan Administration, before serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Company (1950-53). Lastly, our letter makes reference to MATTHEW MCCLOCKEY [(1893-1973), American political figure]. A close friend of John F. Kennedy, McCloskey was a major fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee (In 1934 he organized the first $100-a-plate-dinner), and served as the Committee’s secretary in 1954. The year Truman penned this letter, McCloskey had just been appointed as Ambassador to Ireland by President Kennedy, a post he held until 1964. A truly unique and diverse group of associations. For more details or to buy this item, please contact us. $3,200
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