TLS, one page, 7.75 x 10.25, Office of Dwight D. Eisenhower letterhead, June 20, 1952. Letter to Marion Mahoney in Leavenworth, Kansas. In full: “Rarely have I read a letter which so impressed me with its sincerity and thoughtfulness as did yours. I assure you that having undertaken, in response to the desires of many Americans, to place before the public my convictions, ideals and beliefs, I shall leave no stone unturned to make certain that these are as clearly stated and as widely spread as possible. You will readily understand that the life I am now leading and the activities in which I am engaged are entirely foreign to my experience. Unquestionably I am making some mistakes and shall continue to make them, but I must say that the inspiration I get from such a letter as yours creates in me a burning desire to limit the mistakes and to do my best to live up to the great confidence and faith that you express.” Simply double matted and framed to an overall size of 11.5 x 14. In very good condition, with scattered light staining, a small bit of old tape residue in upper left corner, and a light brush to end of signature.
Accompanied by a handwritten pencil draft of the letter Mahoney wrote to Eisenhower, with notations on an included envelope reading, “I should mention that when I got it ready for mailing, he was at Brown Palace Hotel, Denver. I thought who am I to write a letter to this great man. So, I addressed it to Mrs. Mamie Eisenhower—with a note saying—‘If you think that this is worthy of his attention.’ Evidently she thought it was worthy of his attention.”
Ike flew home from Europe in June 1952 to retire from active duty and mount his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. During his extraordinary military career, General Eisenhower had done some things that few, if any, Americans had ever experienced—but he had never voted, claiming that he had no interest in politics because he had to devote his full attention to his duty as commander of NATO forces in Europe. But all that changed in 1952 when the war hero announced he was a Republican and would run for the position of commander-in-chief. In spite of his admission here that “I am making some mistakes,” his plain talk, reassuring smile, heroic image, and “burning desire to limit the mistakes and to do my best to live up to the great confidence and faith” that supporters had in him led to a landslide victory in the 1952 election. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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