636402
Mamie Eisenhower
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Mamie Geneva Doud Eisenhower, 1896-1979. First Lady of the United States, 1953-1961. Autograph Letter Signed, Mamie Eisenhower, four pages (including integral leaf), 5” x 7½”, on engraved stationery of The Eisenhower Farms, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1970. With original envelope addressed in Mamie’s hand and signed Mrs. Eisenhower.
This is a very personal and poignant letter by Mamie, still a new widow herself following President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s death. She writes to console a friend whose husband had likewise just died. In part: “Mrs. Wetzel my secretary just called and told me of your friends letter telling about Charlie— I am very sad for you for coming from one who has already been through the ordeal we miss them sadly— . . . I will send a check to Eisenhower College in Charlie’s name as there was no time for flowers— The school was one of Ike’s projects and there were never any demonstrations there on the campus— . . . My dear love to you Mary and I have fond memories of happy times with you and Charlie before and after you were married— Kodaks of you and me dressed as little girls and Charlie with his horse— What do folks do that have not memories of fun days—”
Mamie met Dwight D. Eisenhower in October 1915 while visiting friends at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where Eisenhower, a second lieutenant just out of West Point, was stationed. He later wrote of their first meeting that Mamie had a “saucy” face and attitude. They were engaged four months later and were married July 1, 1916. Their marriage lasted nearly 53 years, until Eisenhower died on March 28, 1969. They were the first First Couple to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary since John and Abigail Adams.
Mamie’s letters are often chatty, and this one is no exception. The poignancy of this letter, though, makes it among the better ones that we have seen.
The letter is in very fine condition. Mamie has penned it in a black felt-tipped pen. It has one normal mailing fold, which does not affect the signature. The envelope bears Mamie’s printed free frank and has her handwritten signature, Mrs. Eisenhower, in the return address on the back flap. It is in fine condition, torn open at the top and having remnants of what appears to be a forwarding sticker affect part of the addressee’s address and a descriptive note in another hand on the back.
Unframed.
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Click the arrow at right to see the thumbnails for page 4 and the front and back of the envelope.
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