Lot 681
Roosevelt, Franklin D (1882-1945) 32nd President of the United States (1933-1945). Rare signed presentation American Navy propaganda book signed on the presentation page, 54pp, 12½ x 9½", published by the Office of the Coordinator of Commercial and Cultural Affairs of the Americas, April 1941. Titled En Guardia Para la Defensa de las Américas / Edición de la Marina de Guerra (On Guard for the Defense of the Americas/Navy Edition). Given to the unsympathetic President of Paraguay shortly before Pearl Harbor and America's entry into the war. This special presentation copy was prepared by hand in full black leather covers with gilt title, "En Guardia." The front flyleaf bears a calligraphic inscription: "To His Excellency General Higinio Morinigo President of the Republic of Paraguay." FDR's signature below is 5½ inches long with an emphatic underscore.
The contents of the book, which are in Spanish, are a mix of propaganda showing the might of the U.S. Navy and its interest in the defense of North and South America, and human-interest, Navy-related stories. Many battleships are shown, such as the "Mississippi," the "Idaho," the "North Carolina," as well as the submarine "Sargo," the aircraft carrier "Ranger," and the cruiser "Boise." Contents are toned but in very good condition.
Accompanied by the original carbon copy of the original letter of transmittal from the Department of State to the American Ambassador to Paraguay, August 22, 1941, and an 8 x 10" photogaph of FDR, Eleanor Roosevelt and other South American leaders; Morinigo is second from the right in the top row.
President Roosevelt's outreach was all for naught. In spite of receiving a great deal of American aid, Morinigo's government was pro-Axis. Large numbers of Paraguayan military officers and government officials were openly sympathetic to the Axis; the national police chief even named his son Adolfo Hirohito. Police cadets wore swastikas and Italian insignia on their uniforms. When the U.S. entered the war, Morinigo was forced to give lip service to the Allied cause but he did not declare war against Germany until February 1945.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500.
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| Realized $1,260 |
