TAFT, THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEAGUE TO ENFORCE PEACE, INVITES A MEMBER TO JOIN THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: “THE LEAGUE'S PLATFORM, AND TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR SECURING ACTION BY OUR NATIONAL AUTHORITIES AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES LOOKING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROPOSED LEAGUE OF NATIONS”

WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT (1857-1930). Twenty-Seventh President of the United States and tenth Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

TLS. 2pgs. January 17, 1916. No place.  A lengthy typed letter signed “Wm. H. Taft” on “League to Enforce Peace” letterhead; Taft was the President of the organization.  He wrote to James Beck of New York City: “The absolute necessity, revealed by the European War, for establishing a new, better and more permanent basis for future international relations leads the officers and the Executive Committee of the League to Enforce Peace to feel under obligation to do their utmost to fulfill the trust reposed in them by the conference held last June in Independence Hall, when it instructed them to take all proper means to carry into effect the resolutions they are adopted. The reception, both in this and in other countries, other proposals put forth at that time has been such as to encourage the friends of the League, and to point, as the next step in this establishment, to the completion of our National and State organizations. The object sought in so doing or to acquaint still further the people of the country with the League's platform, and to lay the foundation for securing action by our national authorities and their representatives looking to the establishment of the proposed League of Nations in an International Conference. As president of the League, I take great pleasure in asking you to serve as a member of a General Committee of 250 members, (of which a national officers and executive committees are also members ex officio). Among the duties of this committee, as indicated in the enclosed printed plan of the organization, is that of selecting annually the national executive committee of the League. It is also charged with molding the general policy of the League in its larger aspects. Incidentally, the eminence of the gentleman who composed the Committee will contribute to the standing and the influence of the League. As a member of the League, I assume that you are already fully acquainted with its principles and aims. Thanking you for giving consideration to the requests which the executive committee joins me in making I remain very truly yours…”.  The League to Enforce Peace, viewing warily the Great War raging in Europe, was founded in 1915 at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall; Taft was elected President.  The organization hoped to create a world court, a league of nations and other tasks.  The League dissolved by 1923.  The letter has two mailing folds and is in very fine condition.

WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT THANKS A FRIEND FOR HIS WORDS OF “VINDICATION” AFTER THE CONTROVERISAL 1912 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT (1857-1930). Taft was President of the United States, as well as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court later in his career.

TLS. 1pg. June 24, 1912. The White House, Washington. A typed letter signed “Wm. H. Taft” as President on “The White House” letterhead.  Taft thanks Charles Sumner Hawkins for his words of support following the 1912 Republican National Convention, in which Taft controversially won the party’s nomination over Theodore Roosevelt; TR then formed his Progressive Party and ran against Taft.  Taft lost the 1912 Presidential Election to Woodrow Wilson: “My dear Mr. Hawkins: I thank you for the kindly words of your letter of June 22d. The vindication that I have received is very gratifying. Sincerely yours, Wm. H. Taft”.  The letter has a central mailing fold and light soiling and is in very good condition.

HARRY TRUMAN THANKS A WOMAN FOR “THE CLIPPING REGARDING OUR DAUGHTER MARGARET”

HARRY TRUMAN (1884-1972).  Truman was the Thirty-Third President. 

TLS. 1pg. June 16, 1969. Independence, Missouri.  A typed letter signed “Harry S Truman” to Mrs. Coates of Little Silver: “Mrs. Truman and I were glad to have your letter…and the clipping regarding our daughter Margaret.  We appreciate your very kind comments and your thoughtfulness in writing us as you did.”  The original envelope is included.

A SIGNED ENGRAVING OF PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN

HARRY S. TRUMAN (1884-1972).  Truman was the Thirty-Third President. 

PS. July 21, 1964. N.p.  An engraved portrait signed “Harry Truman to Robert A. Flynn 7-21-64”.  The engraving is matted and framed and in fine condition.

HARRY TRUMAN SIGNS A PHOTOGRAPH OF HIS FAMILY

HARRY S. TRUMAN (1884-1972). Truman was the Thirty-Third President.

PS. 9” x 7”. No date. No place.  A black-and-white photograph signed “Harry S Truman” on the top margin.  The photograph shows him with his beaming daughter to his right and his unsmiling wife Bess to his left.  The photograph has a press stamp on the verso and is in very fine condition.