Lot 683
Roosevelt, Franklin D. Typed letter signed as President, on pale green White House letterhead, one page, 9" x 7", Washington, February 5, 1943, with original transmittal envelope marked "BY POUCH." To Laurence A. Steinhardt (1892-1950), American Ambassador to Turkey, inquiring about the Adana meeting which took place on January 30, 1943 with Turkish President Inonu and Winston Churchill. Churchill asked Turkey to open a new front in the Balkans, while FDR felt the new front would be too risky. The outcome of the meeting was that Turkey would remain neutral until February 1945, when it joined the Allies. In part, "Many thanks for that nice birthday telegram. Do write me your impressions of the famous Adana meeting. It sounded excellent…" Light toning, else fine.
Steinhardt, who was Jewish, was involved in the rescue of Hungarian Jews from Bergen Belsen. He also helped many intellectuals fleeing Europe to find refuge in Turkey. In 1945, President Truman appointed him ambassador to Czechoslovakia, and to Canada in 1948. While ambassador, he died in a plane crash en route to Washington, D.C.
Estimated Value $800 - 1,000.
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| Realized $1,020 |
