TLS, one page, 6 x 7, personal letterhead, October 25, 1932. Letter to Mr. Sladdin regarding a portrait of herself to be presented to her husband. In part: “I, of course, know quite well that you did nothing contrary to my express wish and as I did not understand that the picture was well underway when you spoke to me, I don’t think I ought to prevent your giving it to my husband if he wishes to have it. I simply have a great dislike of having portraits of myself in evidence; but that is only my own feeling and probably should not prevent your doing a gracious thing in offering it to my husband…as far as I am concerned, paintings of myself are not my idea of joy!” In very good condition, with even toning, two small tears to right edge, light creasing and wrinkling, and a spot to lower right.
Eleanor’s message was sent shortly before FDR’s victory in the November 8, 1932 presidential election, and her uneasiness with the image is clear. Though noted as a great civil rights advocate, she was lacking in the self-esteem department, and thought of herself as being "painfully shy" and never saw beauty in herself; she felt ashamed that she was not able to approach the notable outward beauty her mother possessed. Her resistance to sign photographs of herself is very well known in autograph collecting circles, and this letter makes her stance very plain. RRAuction COA.
