Franklin D. Roosevelt Signed Letter, 1942

Presented is an original signed letter from President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Honorable John Godfrey Saxe, a NY lawyer and State Senator. The one-page typed letter is written on White House stationary, marked “Confidential,” and dated August 31, 1942. The letter is boldly signed, "Franklin D. Roosevelt", in black ink.  

In the letter, Roosevelt comments on the state of the 1942 election in New York. Just 11 days earlier, his favored candidate for Governor, James M. Mead, lost the nomination to John J. Bennett, Jr. in the Democratic state convention. Roosevelt writes, "I rather fear that either Bennett or Dewey would make distinctly political Governors. However, as between the two there can be no question that the state will be better served by Bennett." To Roosevelt's dismay, Dewey would go on to win the election and become the 47th Governor of New York with 52.10% of the vote against Bennett's 36.40%. 

John Godfrey Saxe II (1877-1953) was a Manhattan lawyer and member of the New York State Senate. He was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention representing New York's 16th congressional district in 1915 and was president of the New York State Bar Association and counsel of Columbia University.

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) was in his second term as governor of New York when he was elected as the nation’s 32nd president in 1932. With the country struggling with the Great Depression, Roosevelt acted to restore public confidence. In his first inaugural address, Roosevelt declared that “This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and prosper…[T]he only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Roosevelt closed all banks while he quickly issued reforming legislation, the Emergency Banking Relief Act. Speaking directly to the public in a series of radio broadcasts or “fireside chats," he restored public confidence and prevented harmful bank runs. His ambitious slate of New Deal programs, including the Public Works Administration, the Works Progress Administration, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Social Security Act, redefined the role of the federal government in the lives of Americans.

Reelected by comfortable margins in 1936, 1940, and 1944, FDR led the United States from isolationism to victory over Nazi Germany and its allies in World War II. He spearheaded the successful wartime alliance between Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States and helped lay the groundwork for the post-war peace organization that would become the United Nations. The only American president in history to be elected four times, Roosevelt died in office in April 1945.

CONDITION:

In very good condition. 1 pg. TLS. Typed letter on White House stationery, marked confidential, and dated August 31, 1942. The letter is written to the Honorable John Godfrey Saxe. Boldly signed, as "Franklin D. Roosevelt" in black ink. Flattened folds from mailing, scattered foxing and evidence of previous mounting on verso. Letter measures 8.75” H x 6.5"W.

The signed letter is paired with a photograph of President Roosevelt. The signature and photograph are archivally matted and framed with UV conservation Clear glass in a custom-built frame. 

Framed Dimensions: 35 3/4" H x 18 3/8" W x 1" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.