President Dwight Eisenhower & Mamie Autographed Letters

 
I bought these items in a coin shop in Hawaii of all places, when I was beginning a collection of Presidential signatures and items that I’ve since dispersed; we are moving to a boat, and these just won’t be safe on the high seas!

 
I did have them authenticated by sending photocopies to one of the New York auction houses, and I had them professionally framed in a ribbed, antiqued gold frame with special UV protection glass.  The items are framed with a burgundy matt (covered in fabric) and are all recessed within gold leaf trimmed openings in the deep matt.  The framing on this pair cost me well over $500!

 
The backs of the frames are still sealed with paper.  They are the same width, but one is about 4 inches taller than the other (see measurement below)   It is up to the buyer if they want me to take them apart to remove the glass for shipping: I’ll ship with the glass, but I wouldn’t want it to break and damage the frame, matte, or items).  In that regard, I believe shipping via UPS or DHL will be the best way to deliver them to you unharmed.       

 
These always made house guests stop and read, and together we always wondered who the addressee was!  I suspect she retired in Hawaii.  I will gladly email individual pics for better viewing if you provide an email address.   

One frame, measuring by 22 x 24 inches by 1.25 inches deep, contains the following four items:

The Dwight D. Eisenhower letter reads:

 
(Office of Dwight D. Eisenhower printed on letterhead)

 
Hotel Commodore

New York, N.Y.

December 16, 1952

 
Dear Miss Rogers:

 Thank you very much for sending me the religious token and the four leaf clovers.

I appreciate your thoughtfulness in sending this gift.

 Sincerely, (signed Dwight D Eisenhower in black fountain pen)

 
Miss Nancy-Ann Rogers, Hotel Hamilton, 141 West 73^rd Street, New York 23 N.Y.

The letter has a very small engraving on the lower left that appears to be a stationery stamp next to “303”   The letter was folded in three, and came in an envelope with a printed return that reads “The White House, Official Business” in caps, and in blue ink. The envelope is included in the frame, under the letter.  No stamp, but it is postmarked on February 5, 1953, 11:30 pm, Washington, DC, with a post mark that reads: New hope for Hearts, Support the heart Fund.”  Note that this envelop seem to have gone with other correspondence to Rogers, as the post mark is dated several month after the letter was written.  It was addressed using a typewriter to:  “Miss Nancy-Ann Rogers, Hotel Hamilton, 141 West 73^rd Street, New York 23, N.Y.”          

The Mamie Eisenhower letter reads:

 
(Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower printed letterhead)

 New York, New York

December 18, 1952

 
Dear Miss Rogers:

Thanks you so much for your letter to me!  My husband and I are most grateful for your friendship and loyalty to us.

 I am sorry that I cannot answer your request for tickets but would suggest that you contact the Inaugural Committee at 1420 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.  All arrangements and tickets for the ball and ceremonies are in the hands of the Committee.  I am sorry that I cannot help you personally!

 My husband and I send you our best wishes!

 Signed (large signature “Mamie Doud Eisenhower” in blue ink)

 Miss Nancy-Ann Rogers, Hotel Hamilton, 141 West 73^rd Street, New York, New York

The letter was folded in three, and came in an envelope with a printed return that matches the “Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower” on the letterhead.  The envelope is included in the frame, under the letter.  It has no stamp or postal markings.  It was addressed using a typewriter to:  “Miss Nancy-Ann Rogers, Hotel Hamilton, 141 West 73^rd Street, New York, New York.”    

One frame, measuring 18.5 x 24 inches by 1.25 inches deep, contains the following 3 items:   

 
Rogers received her tickets to the Inaugural Ball in a large 5 x 7 envelope postmarked January 13, 1953, that is included in the frame with a 6 cent airmail stamp.  It was hand written to her at the Hotel Hamilton in New York, where she resided in apartment 707.  The envelope contained a small printed ticket (5.5 x 3.5 inches) that was numbered 7370 in red ink.  The ticket reads:  “The Inaugural Ball, Tuesday Evening, January 20, 1953, Ten O’Clock, Washington, DC.  Ticket $10, Federal Tax $2, Total $12.” 

 
Note that she received the ticket only a few days before the event itself!

 
The envelope also came with a nice large invitation that is in the frame and measures 6.5 x 9.5 inches.  It was folded in half and reads in script: in honor of The President of the United States and Mrs. Eisenhower and The Vice President of the United States and Mrs. Nixon, The Inaugural Committee requests the pleasure of the company of (Miss Nancy Ann Rogers written in large hand script) at the Inaugural Ball Tuesday evening the twentieth of January One Thousand nine hundred and fifty-three at ten o’clock, Washington.” (Along with committee chair lists printed at bottom in script)