Lot # 1907: Harry S. Truman Signed "Mr. President" Books (2) with Limited-Edition Copy Plus Typed Letter Signed & Acme Newspictures Photograph - Each Signature with Full JSA LOA

Get the story straight from the source, with this selection of (3) items signed by 33rd President Harry S. Truman. This offering is comprised with two Truman signed first edition copies of the 1952 book “Mr. President” by William Hillman, with pictures by Alfred Wagg. One book is a limited-edition copy numbered “6/250”. Also present are a typed letter signed by Truman with original envelope, and a news service photograph.

Printed in gold lettering on the front of the books, is the declaration “I want the people to know the presidency as I have experienced it and I want them to know me as I am”, followed by a facsimile signature.

Truman (d.1972) has signed the limited-edition book below a full-page photograph of him sitting as his desk. This signature is accompanied by the inscription “To a good public servant!”. On the page opposite the photograph, which bears the limited-edition numbering, Truman has added the dedication “J.G.F. To: Hon. Joseph G. Feeney, From: The President, White House, August 10, 1952.”. Feeney served from 1949 to 1952 as administrative assistant for legislation to Truman and Presidential adviser to the Bureau of the Budget. Feeney’s main duty in service to Truman was as a liaison to Senate. Feeney served in World War II as a naval officer. After suffering combat injuries, he was assigned to the Senate as naval liaison officer in 1944, so it seems Truman chose wisely in selecting a well-qualified man for the job. This limited-edition book shows moderate wear, but remains solid. Truman’s signature and writing are firm.

The other first edition book is solid with light wear, and comes with its original dust jacket, which shows considerable wear. Truman has firmly signed this book on the same photograph page as the limited-edition book. In this case, Truman has included the dedication “Best wishes to Richard G. Feeney, may he have a long happy life, Dec. 6, 1958”. Richard Feeney was the son of Joseph Feeney.

Dated January 6, 1953 on "The White House, Washington" letterhead, the 7” x 9” typed letter is addressed to Richard Feeney as “Dear Ricky”. Truman has expressed his thanks for a greeting card, stating in part “I always enjoy hearing from my young friends”. Truman continued with “I trust that “Santa” was good to you and that you had a joyous Christmas.”. Truman has signed this letter boldly, and he has included the hand written pondering “Wonder what our squirrels will do when we both leave?”. Written just two weeks before Truman turned over the office of the president to Dwight D. Eisenhower, this note is a reference to the occasions when homespun Harry and young Ricky fed the squirrels on the White House lawn. This letter is accompanied by its original mailing envelope, with "The White House" printed as the return address. A 3-cent NATO postage stamp is canceled with a postmark dated Jan. 6, 1953.

Also present, is an 8” x 10” Acme Newspictures photograph picturing Truman and Ricky, with Truman’s plane The Independence seen in the background. This photo is attractive with moderate wear.

The signatures on the two books and the letter each come with an individual full LOA from James Spence/JSA.