Sell Or Auction Your Harry Truman Autograph Letter Signed as President for up to Over $5,000 or More at Nate D. Sanders Auctions
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Sell Your Harry Truman Autograph Letter Signed as President
Below is a recent realized price for a Harry Truman autograph letter signed as President. We at Nate D. Sanders Auctions can obtain up to this amount or more for you:
Harry Truman Autograph Letter Signed as President. Sold for over $5,000.
We also sold the following Harry Truman items:
President Harry Truman Hiroshima Signed the Original Press Release Announcing the First Use of Atomic Weaponry — “…Hiroshima…may expect a rain of ruin from the air…”
Harry Truman Hiroshima signed press release, publicly announcing the very first use of the nuclear bomb, dropped upon Hiroshima on 6 August 1945. Document signed “Harry Truman” is the press release of Truman’s announcement, the gravest and most controversial decision of his Presidency, perhaps of any 20th century President. Four page press release reads in part, “Sixteen hours ago an American airplane dropped one bomb on Hiroshima, an important Japanese army base. That bomb had more power than 20,000 tons of T.N.T. It had more than two thousand times the blast power of the British ‘Grand Slam’ which is the largest bomb ever yet used in the history of warfare. The Japanese began the war from the air at Pearl Harbor. They have been repaid many fold. And the end is not yet. With this bomb we have now added a new and revolutionary increase in destruction to supplement the growing power of our armed forces. In their present form these bombs are now in production and even more powerful forms are in development. It is an atomic bomb. It is a harnessing of the basic power of the universe. The force from which the sun draws its power has been loosed against those who brought war to the Far East. Before 1939, it was the accepted belief of scientists that it was theoretically possible to release atomic energy. But no one knew any practical method of doing it. By 1942, however, we knew that the Germans were working feverishly to find a way to add atomic energy to the other engines of war with which they hoped to enslave the world. But they failed. We may be grateful to Providence that the Germans got the V-1’s and the V-2’s late and in limited quantities and even more grateful that they did not get the atomic bomb at all. The battle of the laboratories held fateful risks for us as well as the battles of the air, land and sea, and we have now won the battle of the laboratories as we have won the other battles. Beginning in 1940, before Pearl Harbor, scientific knowledge useful in war was pooled between the United States and Great Britain and many priceless helps to our victories have come from that arrangement. Under that general policy the research on the atomic bomb was begun. With American and British scientists working together we entered the race of discovery against the Germans…We have spent two billion dollars on the greatest scientific gamble in history – and won…What has been done is the greatest achievement of organized science in history. It was done under high pressure and without failure…We are now prepared to obliterate more rapidly and completely every productive enterprise the Japanese have above ground in any city. We shall destroy their docks, their factories, and their communications. Let there be no mistake; we shall completely destroy Japan’s power to make war. It was to spare the Japanese people from utter destruction that the ultimatum of July 26 was issued at Potsdam. Their leaders promptly rejected that ultimatum. If they do not now accept our terms they may expect a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth…It has never been the habit of the scientists of this country or the policy of this Government to withhold from the world scientific knowledge…But under present circumstances it is not intended to divulge the technical processes of production of production or all the military applications, pending further examination of possible methods of protecting us and the rest of the world from the danger of sudden destruction. I shall recommend that the Congress of the United States consider promptly the establishment of an appropriate commission to control the production and use of atomic power within the United States. I shall give further consideration and make further recommendations to the Congress as to how atomic power can become a powerful and forceful influence towards the maintenance of world peace.”
Boldly signed “Harry Truman” on fourth and last page of document which measures 8″ x 12.5″. Some toning, staple mark to upper left corner, folds and small tears to edge. Overall in very good condition, housed in a blue cloth clamshell box. With a typed cover letter signed “S. Tucker” on National Press Club letterhead, presenting the document. Sold for $54,000.
Harry Truman’s Personally Owned Stetson Hat
Harry Truman personally owned and worn Stetson hat. Open road style Stetson hat features Truman’s name printed inside the band. Beige hat is near fine. Provenance from Heritage Auctions. Sold for $28,734.
Harry Truman’s personally owned rocking chair. Beautifully crafted wooden rocking chair was donated by Mrs. Truman in the fall of 1962 to the Women’s Guild charity sale at the Trinity Episcopal Church, the church where she married the president in 1919. Patterned cushioning is from the chair’s reupholstering in the 1950’s by Jennings Furniture in Independence, according to the Historic Furnishing Report of the Harry S. Truman Home and National Historic Site. Truman was known for making use of his rocking chair, having mentioned it in numerous interviews including one with Edward R. Murrow in which he joked, ”I do an immense amount of it [manual labor] from a rocking chair.” Staining to the upper left of the upper cushion, else near fine. Accompanied by an 8” x 10” notarized LOA, mounted on a wooden plaque, from the charity sale’s chairwoman, Mrs. W. Howard Huffman of Independence, Missouri. Sold for $23,116.
President Harry S. Truman’s personally-owned monogrammed chiming pocket watch, pocket knife, and Stetson hat, all gifted by Truman to his Secret Service agent Byron Ludwig Smith Jr. Lot includes: (1) Stunning gold-tone Beaumont brand pocket watch, monogrammed with Truman’s initials ”HTS” on the back cover. Functional manual winding watch features a second hand, a chiming mechanism, and elegant roman numerals. Measures 2” in diameter and 2.5” including the bow. In a Diamant’s of Kansas City, MO box. Light rubbing, but overall near fine. (2) Pocket knife, connected to the watch by a chain with a removable clasp. Gold-tone pocket knife features a folding knife and small pair of scissors. Measures 2.625” long. Also near fine with light rubbing. (3) Truman’s personally worn Stetson hat, reflecting the President’s signature style, who especially liked to wear his Stetson hat on his morning walks. Hat is size 7 3/8, with leather band embossed ”Made by Stetson especially for Harry S. Truman”. Handsome light brown hat features beige grosgrain band and maroon silk lining. Near fine condition. Lot is accompanied by an LOA signed by Smith’s daughter, as well as a copy of Smith’s Secret Service badge, a newspaper clipping of Smith with First Lady Bess Truman at President Truman’s funeral, and a newspaper clipping reporting on Bess Truman attending Smith’s funeral. A fantastic lot of very personal items belonging to President Truman, reflecting his signature style. Sold for $10,000.
President Truman’s Personally Owned & Worn Fedora — With a Signed Photo of the President
President Harry S. Truman’s personally owned and worn classic grey fedora. Hat was originally from the estate of an Australian industrialist and philanthropist, Sir Edward Hallstrom, who reportedly asked Truman for the hat in exchange for an Audubon-inspired drawing gifted to the President by Hallstrom. ”Air-Vac Silver Beaver Fifty” model hat is made by ”Mac Lachlan”. ”President Truman” is written on a label under the band of the fedora. Measures 7.5” in circumference. Also includes a signed magazine photo of Truman wearing a similar hat as he arrives with his family on a vacation to Hawaii. Signed ”Harry S. Truman” above his photo in black ink. Measures 10.25” x 8.75”, with two folds from mailing. Includes original envelope in which the photograph was returned, postmarked 20 October 1953 from Kansas City. Hat is originally from the 1972 estate sale of Sir Edward Hallstrom. Near fine condition overall. An excellent lot of Harry Truman memorabilia. Sold for $9,799.
Rare V-E Day proclamation signed ”Harry Truman” as President, given by Truman to his White House staff at the 1945 White House Christmas party. Dated 8 May 1945, printed document formally announces the Victory of Europe and surrender of Nazi Germany. Text reads in part, ”The Allied Armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with God’s help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional surrender. The Western World has been freed of the evil forces which for five years and longer have imprisoned the bodies and broken the lives of millions upon millions of free-born men. They have violated their churches, destroyed their homes, corrupted their children, and murdered their loved ones. Our Armies of Liberation have restored freedom to these suffering peoples, whose spirit and will their oppressors could never enslave…” Single-page Proclamation is beautifully decorated in red, blue and gilt. Measures 14.75” x 21.75”. Shallow crease to upper right and light buckling, but overall in near fine condition. Proclamation is cited in the Seeley reference book as having been issued as a Christmas gift to White House staff in 1945, and one example remains in the collection of the Truman Library. Sold for $9,375.
Exceptionally Scarce Harry Truman WWII Victory Proclamation Signed as President — Gifted to White House Staff in 1945 — in Seldom-Encountered Near Fine Condition
Rare V-E Day proclamation signed “Harry S. Truman” as President. Dated 8 May 1945, printed document formally announces the Victory of Europe and surrender of Nazi Germany. Text reads in part, “The Allied Armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with God’s help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional surrender. The Western World has been freed of the evil forces which for five years and longer have imprisoned the bodies and broken the lives of millions upon millions of free-born men. They have violated their churches, destroyed their homes, corrupted their children, and murdered their loved ones. Our Armies of Liberation have restored freedom to these suffering peoples, whose spirit and will their oppressors could never enslave…” Single-page document is decorated in red, blue and gilt. Measures 14.75″ x 21.75″. Some creasing to upper portion and minor foxing near the bottom edge. Near fine overall. Proclamation is cited in the Seeley reference book as having been issued as a Christmas gift to White House staff in 1945, and one example remains in the collection of the Truman Library. From our Harry Truman memorabilia auction. Sold for $9,237.
Rare V-E Day proclamation signed ”Harry Truman” as President, given by Truman to his White House staff at the 1945 White House Christmas party. Dated 8 May 1945, printed document formally announces the Victory of Europe and surrender of Nazi Germany. Text reads in part, ”The Allied Armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with God’s help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional surrender. The Western World has been freed of the evil forces which for five years and longer have imprisoned the bodies and broken the lives of millions upon millions of free-born men. They have violated their churches, destroyed their homes, corrupted their children, and murdered their loved ones. Our Armies of Liberation have restored freedom to these suffering peoples, whose spirit and will their oppressors could never enslave…” Single-page Proclamation is beautifully decorated in red, blue and gilt. Measures 14.75” x 21.75”. A few stray moisture spots, overall in unusually near fine condition. Proclamation is cited in the Seeley reference book as having been issued as a Christmas gift to White House staff in 1945, and one example remains in the collection of the Truman Library. Sold for $7,500.
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Harry S. Truman Speech Manuscript
Harry S. Truman autographed manuscript with more than 1,000 words composed in Truman’s own hand. Undated speech manuscript circa 1938 during Truman’s term as U.S. Senator. Extensive 11pp. speech delivered before a meeting of World War I veterans in Larchmont, New York, regarding Truman’s policy and political views in the years prior to Pearl Harbor. A unique glimpse at the future wartime President before he dropped the atomic bomb In part: “…We are a peace loving nation and all of us hate the very thought of war. None of us wants to see another World War in which we are likely to be involved…But we must not close our eyes to the possibility of another war because conditions in Europe have developed to a point, likely to cause an explosion at any time…In the coming struggle between Democracy and Dictatorship, Democracy must be prepared to defend its principals [sic] and its wealth…” The American people “…went rather hysterical on disarmament…after 1918…” Truman continues, “…We refused to sign the Treaty of Versailles [and] did not accept our responsibility as a world power…Andrew Jackson, the fighting old president from Tennessee said, ‘We shall more certainly preserve peace when it is understood that we are prepared for war’…The world knows…” he concludes, “…that we can and will fight for our rights in spite of a small and vociferous pacifist group. The World knows our honorable record in the World War…We fought for liberty and honor, just as we always have and just as we always will when occasion demands it…” 11pp. composed in ink on Biloxi, Mississippi stationery. Punch holes to top edges slightly affect text. An exceptionally rare Truman speech manuscript in excellent condition. From our Harry Truman memorabilia auction. Sold for $6,840.
Harry Truman Twice-Signed 10″ x 8″ Photograph, Famously Showing Truman Holding Up the “Dewey Defeats Truman” Newspaper — Original UPI Press Photo — With University Archives COA
Rare UPI press photo twice-signed by Harry Truman, showing the newly elected President holding up the famous “Chicago Daily Tribune” newspaper that erroneously proclaimed his defeat. Truman signs “Harry Truman” across the white newspaper, and again on his sleeve “Harry Truman”, where he also inscribes the photo. Upon the verso is the United Press-International stamp, transferring the photo to the Truman Library. A piece of paper from the Truman Library is also taped to the verso. Satin-finish silver gelatin photo measures 10″ x 8″. Mild buckling to lower portion and some fading to black ink signatures, otherwise near fine condition. An exceptionally rare photo as signed by Truman. With University Archives COA. Sold for $4,200.
Harry S. Truman signed farewell address with exceptional content, delivered to the nation on 15 January 1953, five days before President Eisenhower’s inauguration. At the time of this address, Truman had a very low approval rating of 22% among the American people, lower even than President Nixon’s 24% when the latter left office. However, in the ensuing years, Truman’s reputation has been rehabilitated and is now considered among most historians as one of the top 10 Presidents, having ended WWII and implemented the Marshall Plan, established the United Nations and NATO, and ignited the issue of Civil Rights in 1948.
Six page document is signed ”Harry Truman” at the conclusion. Marked ”Confidential” and ”Hold for Release”, document states that Truman will deliver the remarks from the White House on 15 January. Speech brings home, in visceral detail, the concerns and challenges facing leaders post WWII, in part, ”…Next Tuesday, General Eisenhower will be inaugurated as President of the United States. A short time after the new President takes his oath of office, I will be on the train going back home to Independence, Missouri. I will again be a plain, private citizen of this Republic. / This is as it should be. Inauguration Day will be a great demonstration of our democratic process. I am glad to be a part of it — glad to wish General Eisenhower all possible success, as he begins his term — glad the whole world will have a chance to see how simply and how peacefully our American system transfers the vast power of the Presidency from my hands to his. It is a good object lesson in democracy. I am very proud of it. I know you are too…In speaking to you tonight, I have no new revelations to make — no political statements — no policy announcements. There are simply a few things in my heart I want to say to you. I want to say ‘goodbye’ and ‘thanks for your help’…The President — whoever he is — has to decide. He can’t pass the buck to anybody. No one else can do the deciding for him. That’s his job…Your new President is taking office in quite different circumstances than when I became President eight years ago…President Roosevelt had died. I offered to do anything I could for Mrs. Roosevelt…Things were happening fast in those days…On May seventh, Germany surrendered…Meanwhile, the first atomic explosion took place out in the new Mexico desert. / The war against Japan was still going on. I made the decision that the atomic bomb had to be used to end it. I made that decision in the conviction it would save hundreds of thousands of lives — Japanese as well as American. Japan surrendered, and we were faced with the huge problems of bringing the troops home…”
Truman continues with long analysis of the specter of communism, with the threat of a nuclear war, underscoring the anxiety America felt at the time: ”…I suppose that history will remember my term in office as the years when the ‘cold war’ began to overshadow our lives. I have had hardly a day in office that has not been dominated by this all-embracing struggle — this conflict between those who love freedom and those who would load the world back into slavery and darkness. And always in the background there has been the atomic bomb…After the first World War, we withdrew from world affairs — we failed to act in concert with other peoples against aggression — we helped to kill the League of Nations — and we built up tariff barriers which strangled world trade. This time, we avoided those mistakes…Think about those years of weakness and indecision, and World War II which was their evil result. Then think about the speed and courage and decisiveness with which we have moved against the communist threat since World War II…Most important of all, we acted in Korea…We are living in the eighth year of the atomic age…Starting an atomic war is totally unthinkable for rational men…In the long run, the strength of our free society, and our ideals, will prevail over a system that has respect for neither God nor man…”
He ends the speech reflecting on the unmatched prosperity America had in the immediate post-war years, ”…we in America have learned how to attain real prosperity for our people…And the income of our people has been fairly distributed, perhaps more so than at any time in recent history…So, as I empty the drawers of this desk, and as Mrs. Truman and I leave the White house, we have no regret. We feel we have done our best in the public service. I hope and believe we have contributed to the welfare of this Nation and to the peace of the world. When Franklin Roosevelt died, I felt there must be a million men better qualified than I, to take up the Presidential task. But the work was mine to do, and I had to do it. I have tried to give it everything that was in me. Through all of it, through all the years that I have worked here in this room, I have been well aware I did not really work alone — that you were working with me. No President could ever hope to lead our country, or to sustain the burdens of this office, save as the people helped with their support. I have had that help — you have given me that support — on all our great essential undertakings to build the free world’s strength and keep the peace. Those are the big things. Those are the things we have done together. For that I shall be grateful, always. And now, the time has come for me to say good night and – God bless you all.” Six page document on three sheets measures 8” x 14”. Folds, light toning and staple at upper left, otherwise near fine condition. Sold for $3,750.
Excellent letter signed by Harry Truman as President, dated 21 December 1948 on White House stationery. Truman writes to Dr. G. Bromley Oxnam, Bishop of the Methodist Church in New York City regarding the famous Communist ”witch hunt” of the House Un-American Activities Committee. Shortly before writing this letter, the Committee had interviewed Alger Hiss — as he was named a Communist by former Soviet spy Whittaker Chambers, and was apparently now putting the Methodist Church in its sights. Letter reads in part, ”…I had already seen in the press the answer of the Council of Bishops of the Methodist Church to the charges of the Un-American Activities Committee but am glad to have for ready reference the complete text of the release prepared for the papers of December fifth. The great American public will be strengthened by the assurance that Communism has not infiltrated the churches of this Nation…[signed] Harry Truman”. Measures 7” x 8.75”. Single horizontal fold and light creasing, otherwise near fine. With originally White House transmittal envelope. Sold for $1,500.
FREE VALUATION. To buy, auction, sell or consign your Harry Truman autograph letter signed as President that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).