President Roosevelt’s personally-owned and -worn burgundy silk neck tie, lined with amber silk, measuring 46″ long. A small white tag is sewn inside the collar area and embroidered in red with the president’s name, “F. D. R.” Includes a detailed letter of provenance on White House letterhead from Mildred Prettyman, a White House worker and the widow of Arthur S. Prettyman, who had served as Roosevelt’s valet from 1939 until his death in 1945, and continued to work for Harry S. Truman until he left office, in 1953. In part: “It gives me pleasure to present to you one of the ties that was owned and used by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It was given to my husband, Arthur S. Prettyman, by the President…The tie is a lovely burgundy color. It has a high shine to it and is a satin or silk material. The interior lining is beige or tan. On the inside collar area is a small personal identification tag of the President. It reads: F. D. R. The tie appears to have been handmade. This is a personal possession of President Roosevelt.” An exceptional and historic artifact.
