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Dwight D. Eisenhower. An extensive collection of war time correspondence from Eisenhower to his wife, Mamie. ... (Total: 55 Items)
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Description
Dwight D. Eisenhower. An extensive collection of war time correspondence from Eisenhower to his wife, Mamie. A remarkable collection of 54 letters (all but two are autograph letters signed) by Dwight D. Eisenhower to Mamie Eisenhower, ranging in paper size from 6 x 9 inches to 8 x 10.5 inches, many with original transmittal envelopes. The insightful correspondence encompasses news of World War II, personal longings for home, thoughts about his son, John, devotion to his wife, and even a few gentle spats between the loving, long-distance couple. With the exception of only three, most of the letters found in this collection were published in the comprehensive book Letters To Mamie by Dwight D. Eisenhower, edited and with commentary by John S. D. Eisenhower, published by Doubleday & Company Inc., 1978. All letters in this collection are in fine condition.A large collection of intimate correspondence from Dwight D. Eisenhower to his beloved wife Mamie over the course of three years (1942-1945) spent traveling abroad throughout Europe managing the war effort.
The collection begins with United States Major General Dwight D. Eisenhower in residence in London, October 14, 1942 and ends with his final WWII letter to Mamie from Frankfurt on October 31, 1945. Soon after, Eisenhower returned stateside where his dreams of quiet retirement were put on hold when he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Army by President Harry S. Truman and further delayed when he was elected the thirty-fourth President of the United States of America, serving from 1953-1961.
Highlights from the collection of intimate and informative letters include:
October 14, 1942 finds Eisenhower stationed in London and enjoying his birthday, as he writes to Mamie, in part: "...I've opened your two packages. Both presents are most acceptable and I thank you truly for your thoughtfulness. Bedell gave me a new fly-rod (something to use in the days of peace, if they ever come). My close friends are giving me a dog (Scotty puppy which Mitch will have to housebreak)..."
November 15, 1942 Eisenhower travels to the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula to become the only American to ever command Gibraltar. He writes, in part: "Since I cannot even guess at how much the home newspapers print of this affair I don't know what your particular mental picture of it may be. But so far as I'm concerned it's primarily more work, more anxious moments and more expenditures of nervous energy... Tomorrow I'm really going to take time off and write a letter to John. I know it's hard for anyone to believe but our sole reaction or diversion from constant problems are the letters we get..."
December 31, 1942, days after French Admiral Francois Darlan was assassinated in Gibraltar, Eisenhower writes as to Mamie, in part: "This is the briefest kind of a note; it mainly represents my final chance in 1942 to tell you I love you and that you mean everything to me. Before the new year can become the old I hope to see you, in person, to tell you these things much more explicitly than I can on cold paper..."
March 4, [1943], Eisenhower writes to reassure Mamie not to fear his capture, just weeks after he is appointed to command the Allied armies. He writes, in part: "Don't worry about my 'capture' & such like. Newsmen are always making stories - that's part of their trade... I think my subordinates spend more time worrying about my safety than they do their own jobs. Ever want to be in love - ever."
March 10, 1943, Eisenhower writes from Algiers, in part: "At midnight, last night, a dripping messenger at the door, with the aid of the sentry, finally woke me up to hand me an urgent message. I thought the Hun must be at the gates of the city! The message said "Mamie has arrived safely at San Antonio". I was so glad to know it that I didn't mind being wakened..."
April 3, 1943, the General waxes philosophical about his job. He writes, in part: "For anyone occupying a position such as this, war is just a succession of intricate and difficult problems, any of them of a kind that either have no ending or at least are not capable of definite and final solution. Excitement, to vary the routine, is scarcely greater than in Washington..."
April 12, [1943], he writes from the African front, in part: "The news continues to be good - but of course even when a good day starts, one is never sure what the evening reports will bring in. It's a strenuous existence. I love you - all the time. My biggest ambition (aside from trying to help win this war) is to get home to you, and never thereafter have to leave your side."
July 18, 1943, from Amilcar, Tunisia, Eisenhower relates a dream, in part: "Last night I dreamed you had come over here. We were having a lot of fun fixing things up the way you wanted them - particularly my house at my main headquarters. You found out that I was leaving at once for quite a trip; and did you give me a hail Columbia! But that didn't last long - next we were in the car, and instead of worrying about the dirt and poverty and filth on every home you were vastly intrigued with the buildings, scenery and so on..."
March 17, 1944, back in London, Eisenhower commemorates the engagement party Mamie threw following Dwight's proposal on Valentine's Day in 1916. He writes, in part: "No matter who might descend on me today, I'll let nothing interfere with writing you a note, because 28 years ago today you gave me a party where you let it be known we were engaged..."
April 12, 1944, from Bushy Park, London, Eisenhower confides, in part: "I constantly get letters from anxious mothers begging for their boys to be sent home. I always feel cruel in telling them their boys must stay to do their duty - but there is no other answer. But I do feel sorry for a heart-broken mother."
November 2, 1944, in a lighthearted moment Eisenhower writes, in part: "Bing Crosby apparently said something on the radio about my liking hominy grits. Now, I'm being swamped with them..."
December 13, 1944, Eisenhower discusses Mamie's holiday travel plans. He writes, in part: "A teletype today says that you may change your mind about going to Boone and will go to see John instead. I know you'd like to be both places - and all of them would like to have you, as I would!! How I hope this is the final Christmas I ever have to spend outside our home."
January 3, [1945], following the death of Admiral Bertram Ramsay, Eisenhower ruminates on the harshness of war. He writes, in part: "...my great friend, Admiral Ramsay, was killed in an accident. His plane went into a stall on the take off... Such things are most saddening. War is truly a brutal business... But darling, we must be of good courage, we must hang on to faith and hope and we must believe in the ultimate purposes of a merciful God."
October 31, 1945 marked the last letter to Mamie in the WWII series and in this collection. Here Eisenhower is weary of reporting news and eager to get home stateside. He writes, in part: "You complain about the dearth of news in my letters, but I don't know what you'd consider as news. I try to tell you about such of our common friends that I encounter (for example, today I had lunch with Bedell Smith) but aside from that there seems little to tell. Sometimes I get discouraged trying to write - I never seem to please."
Following this final WWII letter, Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to the US to continue his incredible legacy of accomplishment. Dwight and Mamie spent the rest of their days together, finally retiring to their Gettysburg farm after Eisenhower's term as President ended in 1961. The love affair and marriage endured for over half a century until Dwight's death in 1969. Mamie followed ten years later in 1979. The letters in this collection offer a rare and personal look into the strengths and tenderness of a career soldier and future president.
Auction Info
2022 May 7 Treasures from the Melvin "Pete" Mark, Jr. Collection Signature® Auction #6256 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
May, 2022
7th
Saturday
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