1954 MRS HARRY S (BESS) TRUMAN AUTOGRAPH NOTE

Very interesting autograph signed note on personal stationery, with initials "BWT," of Bess Truman, widow of US President Harry S Truman, with original envelope, postmarked Nov 14 1954, with her address, "219 North Delaware, Independence, Missouri," on backflap, signed and written entirely in her hand. Addressed to Mrs. Phil (Jo) Regan, Pasadena, California, it reads, "Dear Jo Regan-- I am very embarassed hat I have not written you long ago. It has been such a hectic fall. I am greatly flattered that you thought of sending me your Ten Commandments. They are really lovely, so beautifully done. I am saving them for our two babies [Margaret's children] and shall put them with their Christmas books. Thank you so very much. It is quite apparent that Phil is not the only clever member of your family. We are having a dose of real winter -- 10° on our porch this morning. You southern Californians don't know anything about that sort of weather. After we get a bit used to it, it's great -- but the first bit of it is a little grim. Much love to both of you, [signed] Bess Truman." Bess W. Truman (1885-82). Future President Harry S Truman fell in love with Bess, whom he called "Golden Curls,"  from fifth grade. Harry and Bess were engaged before he went off as a Lieutenant in the Army Expeditionary Force for France in 1918, during World War I. They were married in 1919. As Harry Truman became active in politics Bess Truman traveled with hi, sharing his platform appearances as the public had come to expect of a candidate's wife. His election to the U.S. Senate in 1934 took the family, which included daughter Margaret, born in 1924, to Washington DC. In 1944 Harry S Truman was elected Vice President of the US on the ticket with Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Upon FDr's death on Apr 12 1945, Truman took the Presidential oath of office. Never really comfortable with being a public figure, Bess Truman kept her composure and assumed the the responsibilities of first lady. She disliked living in the White House and its lack of privacy, and though she fulfilled the social obligations of her position, she only did what she thought was necessary. During Mr. Truman's presidency, Bess Truman liked to remain at home in Indepence, and only lived in Washington during the social season when her presence was expected. Upon Mr. Truman's retirement, they returned to their family home in Independence, where the former President died in 1972. Bess Truman died in 1982 at age 97, the longest living first lady. Phil Regan was a handsome Hollywood tenor singer, who was popular in the 1920s-30s. Letter is in excellent condition, envelope roughly opened at backflap.