Beschreibung:

ROOSEVELT, FRANKLIN DELANO, President . Autograph letter signed ("FDR") AS PRESIDENT, to Norman Davis, Chairman of the American Red Cross, Washington, D.C., n.d. [summer or fall 1941]. 1 page, 4to, integral blank, on pale green White House stationery. [ With :] Original envelope addressed to the "Hon[orable] Norman Davis Kindness of Miss Rotherford," in FDR's hand. "IF THIS WAR DOES BREAK OUT" A very rare autograph letter signed as President. Roosevelt thanks his former ambassador-at-large for a personal favor: "Barbara [Rotherford] & her family think that she should rejoin them for the next few months, and I think that is best. It was grand of you to give her this chance for Training and she & I are very grateful. If this war does break out she will be working at it somewhere!" Norman Davis (1878-1944) served as an ambassador-at-large in the administrations of Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Herbert Hoover before serving under FDR. He retired in 1937 to become chairman of the American Red Cross, a position he held until his death. Winthrop Rotherford, the father of Barbara Rotherford, visited the White House on 26 June 1941. Although the nature of his visit has not been documented, he may have requested the President to secure a training situation with the Red Cross for his daughter. We are grateful for the assistance of the Roosevelt Library at Hyde Park, New York for help in establishing the broad dates of this undated rarity.