Rare ALS as president signed “FDR,” one page, 6.5 x 8.5, White House letterhead, no date. Letter to Norman Davis, chairman of the Red Cross and president of the Council on Foreign Relations, regarding a job for Barbara Rutherford, the daughter of his mistress Lucy Mercer Rutherford. In full: “Barbara & her family think that she should rejoin them for the next few months—and I think that is best—It was good of you to give her this chance for training and she & I are very grateful—If this war does break out she will be working at it somewhere!” Archivally matted and framed to an overall size of 25 x 14. In fine condition. Accompanied by the original White House transmittal envelope addressed in his own hand, “Hon. Norman Davis, Kindness of Miss Rutherford.”
Though Roosevelt’s affair with mistress Lucy Mercer Rutherford essentially ended in 1918 after its discovery by Eleanor, he remained close with her and her family throughout his life. Here, it seems that the president acted as a liaison to help her daughter secure training or an internship with the Red Cross, and FDR’s words of thanks indicate that the favor was obliged. Beyond that, his connected comment, “If this war does break out she will be working at it somewhere!” belies his feeling of the inevitability of American entry into World War II. Combining the political significance of the comment with the personal connection to his mistress, and the rarity of FDR handwritten letters on White House letterhead, this is an absolutely extraordinary letter. Oversized. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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