Lot 682
Roosevelt, Franklin D. Typed letter signed as President, on pale green White House letterhead, one page with integral leaf, 9" x 7", Washington, February 15, 1943, with original White House transmittal envelope marked "BY POUCH." To Laurence A. Steinhardt, American Ambassador to Turkey, thanking him for sending Turkish stamps, a set of suffrage leader Carrie Chapman Catt, and inquires about George H. Earl's assignment as special Presidential emissary to the Balkans. In part," …am perfectly delighted to have those stamps and they will fill in a great many places in my Turkish book. I think it is of interest to note that nearly all of my Turkish stamps were sent to me before the first World War by your predecessor, 'Uncle' Henry Morgenthau, and with your help my collection is greatly improved. That set with old Carrie Chapman Catt's picture is grand. She is a grand old girl and I am glad she managed to get her face on a stamp. By the way, I wish you would write to me confidentially how George Earle is getting on 'in your midst'." Light toning, else fine.
In 1943, George Earle (1890-1974), former governor of Pennsylvania, was the associate Naval attaché to Turkey. That same year, he passed along to FDR a proposal made to him by the German ambassador and the head of the German secret service that they surround Hitler's headquarters and turn Hitler over to the Allies as a war criminal, at which time German troops could be repositioned against the Russians. The plan was not approved.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500.
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| Realized $1,560 |
