Dwight D. Eisenhower Original Photograph and Autographed Letter, 1966

Offered is a custom signature collage, celebrating Dwight D. Eisenhower. The collage features a one page typed letter from President Eisenhower, dated December 17, 1966, paired with and a vintage early photograph of Eisenhower pictured in his World War I-era Captain's uniform. In the letter, former President Eisenhower thanks a Washington, D.C. well-wisher named Z.D. Blackistone for having sent him a get-well letter and the early photograph of Eisenhower two weeks earlier. He also regrettably turns down an invitation to play at a prestigious golf club. 

The typed letter is written on watermarked stationary with Eisenhower’s initials “DDE” and his Gettysburg, Pennsylvania address gilt-embossed on the letterhead. Eisenhower thanks Z.D. Blackistone for having sent him a get-well letter and the early photograph of Eisenhower on December 13th. In part, the letter reads: "Thank you for your letter of the thirteenth and your thoughtfulness in sending me the photograph while at Walter Reed General Hospital… I am returning the picture herewith as I am certain it is valuable to you." Eisenhower underwent a cholecystectomy at Walter Reed General Hospital on December 12, 1966. 

In the letter, Eisenhower is also excited by, but regrettably declines, Mr. Blakistone’s invitation to play at The Three Score and Ten Club, an exclusive invitation-only men's golfing league still in operation today. Eisenhower notes that his doctors have instructed him "to curtail my activities," which sadly included the playing of golf, one of Eisenhower's favorite pastimes. 

Eisenhower was a dedicated golfer. He had limited natural talent, but no one could dispute that he sincerely enjoyed the game. It's estimated that Eisenhower squeezed in about 800 rounds of golf during his 8-year-long presidency. Eisenhower often played at the end of the work day on the South Lawn putting green he had installed at the White House, and he also played on Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. Sports historians believe Eisenhower helped to popularize the game of golf in mid-twentieth-century America. 

Paired with the letter is the originally enclosed photograph of Eisenhower, pictured in his World War I-era Captain's uniform. The sepia-colored matte finish photograph is signed in the plate by Underwood & Underwood at lower left. During World War I, Eisenhower commanded a tank crew training unit at Camp Colt in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He was considered a rising officer within the newly formed U.S. Tank Corps, but the war ended before his unit could deploy to Europe. During WWII, Eisenhower was appointed Supreme Commander of Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe and played a major role in ensuring the Allied victory. Most notably, Eisenhower planned and carried out both the successful Allied invasion of Normandy that definitively turned the tide in WWII as well as the invasion of North Africa. In 1948, Eisenhower left active duty and started on a civilian path that would eventually lead him to the White House.

CONDITION:

Photograph: Very good condition. Sepia-colored matte finish photograph, signed in the plate by Underwood & Underwood at lower left.  Expected wear including a few superficial scuffs. Lightly toned and with pencil inscription verso, else near fine. The photograph originally accompanied the other piece included in this lot. Photograph Dimensions: 10 1/8" H x 8”W. 

Letter: Good condition. 1p typed letter, signed on watermarked stationery with Eisenhower's initials "DDE" and his Gettysburg, Pennsylvania address gilt-embossed at the letterhead. “Dwight Eisenhower” in black ink at bottom. Dated December 17, 1966. Paper healthy and bright, with flattened paper folds, else near fine. Letter Dimensions: 10 3/8" H x 7 1/8" W. 

The photograph and letter are archivally mounted and presented together in a custom-built black wooden frame with acid-free mats, UV Conservation Clear glass, and a custom plaque. 

Framed Dimensions: 35" H x 17 5/8" W x 1 1/4" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.