Opening Day Auction Closing May 9th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2015
At 3:35 on the afternoon of April 12, 1945 President Franklin Roosevelt passed away. Less than 4 hours later Vice President Harry S. Truman found himself suddenly elevated to the most powerful office in the land. The world was still at war with Germany and Japan and as befits his no-nonsense personality, Truman issued a succinct one sentence statement after taking the oath of office: "The world may be sure that we will prosecute the war on both fronts, east and west, with all the vigor we possess to a successful conclusion." The statement quickly assured Americans that the man who reluctantly replaced FDR was indeed a strong and committed leader. Letters of support poured in to the White House and this one page letter written on White House stationery is the new president's reply to one such note of confidence. Dated April 13th, the very next day after FDR's death, Truman thanks Colonel Francis V. Keeling, head of Selective Service for his note of good wishes to the new president. Truman signed the letter in crisp black fountain pen, certainly one of his first as the 33rd President of the United States. The 7" x 9" letter is in fine condition with a single horizontal mailing fold. Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.