Details
TRUMAN, Harry S. Typed letter signed ("Harry Truman") as President, to Robert V. Fleming, President of Riggs National Bank of Washington, Washington, D.C., 20 January 1953. 1 page, 4to (8 7/8 x 7 in.), White House stationery, in fine condition.
THE PRESIDENT WITH "NO VISIBLE MEANS OF SUPPORT"; POSSIBLY TRUMAN'S LAST LETTER AS PRESIDENT
On the last day of his second term, Truman, returning to Fleming some bank forms he has filled out, writes a humorous, self-deprecating reflection on his new status: "I am enclosing you the cards, signed as you directed. You will notice that on the card I signed under the place 'occupation' I signed--'Out of a job' which means no visible means of support, but I hope you won't throw me out of the bank for that reason. I appreciate all the courtesies which your bank has extended to me and if you feel inclined I expect to keep a balance with you."
Truman's second term ended the day of this letter: at mid-day he attended Eisenhower's inauguration followed by a luncheon at Dean Acheson's home, and afterwards was driven to Union Station to board a train for Independence, Missouri, and retire from public life. That afternoon, he remarked to throngs of well-wishers that he was pleased to be "just Mr. Truman, private citizen, now" (see Margaret Truman, Harry S. Truman, New York, 1972, pp. 556-559 for a detailed account of this day). Since he did not return to the White House after the inauguration, it is almost certain that the present letter was written on the morning of January 20th, while Truman was still President, and it may therefore be one of the very last letters Truman wrote in office on White House stationary. No other letter of this date has sold at auction in the 11 years since the present was purchased at Christie's New York in 1990.
Provenance: Anonymous owner (sold Hamilton Galleries, sale 67, 3 May 1973, lot 281). -- Anonymous owner (Christie's New York, 7 December 1990, lot 264).
THE PRESIDENT WITH "NO VISIBLE MEANS OF SUPPORT"; POSSIBLY TRUMAN'S LAST LETTER AS PRESIDENT
On the last day of his second term, Truman, returning to Fleming some bank forms he has filled out, writes a humorous, self-deprecating reflection on his new status: "I am enclosing you the cards, signed as you directed. You will notice that on the card I signed under the place 'occupation' I signed--'Out of a job' which means no visible means of support, but I hope you won't throw me out of the bank for that reason. I appreciate all the courtesies which your bank has extended to me and if you feel inclined I expect to keep a balance with you."
Truman's second term ended the day of this letter: at mid-day he attended Eisenhower's inauguration followed by a luncheon at Dean Acheson's home, and afterwards was driven to Union Station to board a train for Independence, Missouri, and retire from public life. That afternoon, he remarked to throngs of well-wishers that he was pleased to be "just Mr. Truman, private citizen, now" (see Margaret Truman, Harry S. Truman, New York, 1972, pp. 556-559 for a detailed account of this day). Since he did not return to the White House after the inauguration, it is almost certain that the present letter was written on the morning of January 20th, while Truman was still President, and it may therefore be one of the very last letters Truman wrote in office on White House stationary. No other letter of this date has sold at auction in the 11 years since the present was purchased at Christie's New York in 1990.
Provenance: Anonymous owner (sold Hamilton Galleries, sale 67, 3 May 1973, lot 281). -- Anonymous owner (Christie's New York, 7 December 1990, lot 264).