LOT #47027 |
Sold on Dec 15, 2023 for: Not Sold
[Franklin D. Roosevelt]. Three Books Inscribed by Franklin D. Roosevelt to Margaret Suckley, Cousin and Companion to the Presi... (Total: 3 Items)
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Description
Three Books Inscribed by President Roosevelt to his Companion and Close Confidante Margaret Suckley, "My Margaret"
[Franklin D. Roosevelt]. Three Books Inscribed by Franklin D.
Roosevelt to Margaret Suckley, Cousin and Companion to the
President. Three books titled Treasured Thoughts by
Amanda Neatz, The Sayings of Confucius, and The Man
Without a Country by Edward Everett Hale inscribed by Roosevelt
to Margaret "Daisy" Suckley, his sixth cousin and close
confidante.Treasured Thoughts features an inscription from Roosevelt that reads "M.L.S." as well as a note from Margaret that reads "Margaret L. Suckley / Rec'd at 399 Park Ave. N.Y.C. / Feb 6th '36 / From FDR." She also includes a monograph she designed out of the letters F, D, and R. The front free endpaper has an inscription from author Amanda Neatz to Roosevelt that reads, "To President Franklin D. Roosevelt. With my sincere admiration for the good you are doing for all people of America!" Signed, "Amanda Neatz." Margaret comments on the gift and her design in a letter dated February 8, 1936. She writes, "A package came, two days ago. Do you really suppose these little books are going to be 'thrown away'! In the first place, I know I'll like many things in them... By the way, I quite casually invented a monogram today: [monogram image] It came of itself!"
Roosevelt writes, "For MLS from FDR" on the front endpaper of The Sayings of Confucius. Margaret signs her name and adds the date, "Nov. 25th, 39." At the top corner of the front pastedown near the hinge, she adds "No. 57" beneath which is written "O H" in darker ink similar to what Roosevelt uses in his inscription. It is possible that the initials stand for Our Hill. In a letter from Margaret to Roosevelt, dated September 12, 1935, she included an illustrated map of Dutchess County and writes "You had better fill in the HIGH SPOTS on this map!" Ten days later, Roosevelt took Margaret for a drive around the area, stopping at a crest they had designated "Our Hill."
Historian Geoffrey C. Ward notes that Roosevelt and Margaret crossed a bridge in their relationship that day. Although specific accounts don't exist, Roosevelt still referred to that excursion to Our Hill as "the beginning of 'a voyage'" three years later. It is evident that whatever took place greatly impacted Margaret, as she wrote shortly thereafter, on September 22, "After much deep thought, I have come to the very definite conclusion that OUR HILL is, quite without exception, the nicest Hill in Dutchess County! The only problem remaining is as to how it should be spelled. Just plaint OUR-HILL, or OURHILL, or Owahill, or even OW-WA-HILL!" Ward writes that Margaret went so far as to send Roosevelt a sketch of a house to be built on Our Hill. It is not surprising, then, that she would include abbreviations for such a meaningful spot in the gifts she received from the President.
Roosevelt signs, "Franklin Roosevelt / 1938" on the front endpaper of The Man Without a Country. He adds "MM" on the top corner of the front pastedown by the hinge, well away from his signature. In a letter written to Roosevelt on February 23, 1936, Suckley references the use of "M.M." in Roosevelt's correspondence. She writes, "I'm really stumped by the 'M.M' at the beginning of your last letter! What does it mean?" On March 3, she again presses Roosevelt about the abbreviation, writing "What does 'M.M' stand for??" On March 23, Roosevelt hinted at its meaning, writing "I will tell you about M.M. - it's something very nice - but I have the great idea that you won't be the least bit surprised - I have decided that somewhere subconsciously I knew about it a whole century ago - But I must explain it very soon..." When the President visited in April, he confirmed that the letters stood for "My Margaret."
Roosevelt's relationship with Margaret was a deep and lasting one that developed during his presidency. Suckley, a distant cousin of Roosevelt, was a frequent visitor to the President's Hyde Park estate, where their bond grew stronger. Margaret's presence was a source of solace and emotional support for Roosevelt, who faced immense stress and responsibility. While there is no concrete evidence of a romantic involvement (Margaret often redacted portions of Roosevelt's letters), their correspondence and diaries reveal an intimate and affectionate relationship that suggests that their connection was more than platonic.
Margaret often accompanied the President on his travels, offering companionship during some of the nation's most challenging times, including World War II. Their relationship, marked by shared confidences and genuine affection, sheds light on the personal side of one of America's most iconic leaders. Their connection has sparked intrigue and debate among historians, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of Roosevelt's personal life and the enduring bonds he formed with those who shared his journey through turbulent times.
Condition: Treasured Thoughts has a suede cloth binding with small chips to the fore-edges, the lower right corner of the front board is folded. The first six pages are partially separated from the binding. The Sayings of Confucius has early (possibly original) French hand-painted paper cover boards backed in black coated cloth with paper-printed spine label. Uncut. Light toning and offsetting to the pastedowns. The Man Without a Country has red buckram with printed paper labels. Uncut along right fore-edge. Pastedowns are lightly toned with offsetting.
References: Sotheby's, Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Letters to Margaret Lynch Suckley: The Property of Wilderstein Preservation, 1996; Geoffrey C. Ward, Closest Companion: The Unknown Story of the Intimate Friendship between Franklin Roosevelt and Margaret Suckley, 1995.
Auction Info
2023 December 15 Historical Platinum Session Signature® Auction #6280 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2023
15th
Friday
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