Lot 104
Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States, 1953-1961. Autograph Letter Signed "Ike", 2 pages, 8" x 10½", [Portsmouth], July 15, 1944 to his wife Mamie Eisenhower giving her an update on his health and well-being, and commenting on the crush of mail from well-wishers, light creases and expected mailing folds, Very Fine.Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
FIVE WEEKS AFTER D-DAY, EISENHOWER IS OVERWHELMED WITH LETTERS "FROM PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY ARE INTIMATE FRIENDS - THEY'VE BECOME SO SINCE MY NAME GOT INTO THE PAPERS. BUT BUTCHER OR LEE WRITES TO ANSWER ALL EXCEPT THOSE PALPABLY LOOKING FOR SIGNATURE - THOSE THEY THROW INTO THE WASTEBASKET…".
In the letter, Eisenhower makes reference to Harry C. Butcher, his naval aide, as well as Ernest "Tex" Lee, one of the General's aides-de-camp. Eisenhower writes in full, "I've been trying to remember whether or not I wrote to you yesterday. Since my notes to you are always in long hand I have no record in which to check. In any event, I have to wait a few minutes on a paper[?] I've just dictated- so I can send a short message. My health remains good, though I have been useless since I've exercised. This a.m. I had a teletype from Jerry Matjka, saying you were in good health & sprits, and indicating that you had the reports on our current operations. Now you can see only I've been talking lately of 'pressure.' Everything is going well at the moment. I hope we can keep on in the same way. My correspondence is in arrears. I owe a hundred letters - but I can't help it. I hear from people who say they are intimate friends - they've become so since my name got into the papers. But Commander] Butcher or [Lieutenant Colonel] Lee tries to answer aii except those palpably looking for signature - those they throw into the wastebasket. My gosh - here is Marshall with the report. Lots of love, my sweet -1 miss you terribly! Always yours Ike.".