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Lot #26
Dwight D. Eisenhower

President-elect Eisenhower writes to Mamie during his Korean trip

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Estimate: $1200+
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Description

President-elect Eisenhower writes to Mamie during his Korean trip

ALS signed “Ike,” two pages, 7 x 10.25, no date, but circa December 1952. Letter to his wife, Mamie D. Eisenhower, in full: "I am still carrying New York time on my watch—so I know that at this minute, while we are still 1 hour west of Iwo Jima on Monday afternoon, it is 11:10 p.m. Sunday, in 60 Morningside. It seems that much of the work I wanted to get busy on when I board ship about next Saturday will not be ready. So there is less reason than I had thought (aside from the simple one of safety over a small portion of the distance) to stay on the cruise for a week. But—if I should get back east before Dec. 13, I’d almost have to go to the Gridiron Affair. That means making an ‘interesting and witty’ speech—and I’m just too weary of speech making to tackle it. So now I’m really sorry we couldn’t make a good plan to meet out in Southern California when I get back to the mainland. But as I see it now I’ll stay on the cruiser long enough so that I’ll get in NY City about Dec. 14 or 15. Maybe we can run out there about Dec. 30; especially if Min could go along. The Air Force would give us a plane—or we could go in a train. We can talk about it when I get home—but if we cannot leave by the end of the year we could scarcely make the trip. I shall certainly need to be back in NY by Jan 12, at latest. I miss you very much. We are having nice weather, and everything is going fine, but I’m always wondering how you are and whether the children are O.K. I’ll bet you and Min are lonesome, too. Well sweet—I hope you draw up your ‘packing plan’ with Bob and then when the place really gets torn up we will get out and let him do the work—even if we go only to the Commodore or The Waldorf. I don’t see why you should wear your heart out on things." In fine condition.

Staying true on his campaign pledge, President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower went to Korea on November 29, 1952. He landed at a small airfield outside Seoul three days later and commenced visiting the troops, their commanders, and South Korean leaders, from whom he received briefings on the military situation in Korea. Eisenhower concluded, 'we could not stand forever on a static front and continue to accept casualties without any visible results. Small attacks on small hills would not end this war.' On July 27, 1953, seven months after Eisenhower’s inauguration as the 34th President of the United States, an armistice was signed, ending organized combat operations and leaving the Korean Peninsula divided.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts
  • Dates: #549 - Ended April 10, 2019





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