![EISENHOWER, Dwight D. Autograph letter signed (“Ike”), as Supreme Allied Commander, to his wife Mamie Doud Eisenhower, 29 April [1944]. 2 pages, 4to, ruled paper (slightly age-toned); with original envelope, post-marked 3 May 1944, with censor stamp signed (‘Dwight D. Eisenhower”).](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2014/NYR/2014_NYR_03400_0014_000(eisenhower_dwight_d_autograph_letter_signed_as_supreme_allied_commande023035).jpg?w=1)
THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
EISENHOWER, Dwight D. Autograph letter signed (“Ike”), as Supreme Allied Commander, to his wife Mamie Doud Eisenhower, 29 April [1944]. 2 pages, 4to, ruled paper (slightly age-toned); with original envelope, post-marked 3 May 1944, with censor stamp signed (‘Dwight D. Eisenhower”).
Details
EISENHOWER, Dwight D. Autograph letter signed (“Ike”), as Supreme Allied Commander, to his wife Mamie Doud Eisenhower, 29 April [1944]. 2 pages, 4to, ruled paper (slightly age-toned); with original envelope, post-marked 3 May 1944, with censor stamp signed (‘Dwight D. Eisenhower”).
“I THINK MOST OF US LIVE BY SLOGANS, RULES OF THUMB AND SHIBBOLETHS!”
Histories of the war were already rolling off the presses in 1944, and Eisenhower tells Mamie that “within the past two or three months I’ve seen a number of books written on the Mediterranean campaign of 1942-43. Some are amusing and some fairly accurate,” but he is amazed “that even reporters on the spot so frequently miss the true significance of what is happening in front of their eyes. I think most of us live by slogans, rules of thumb and shibboleths! So everything we say or do is colored accordingly.” It has been another “hard week,” he tells her. That must have been a severe understatement, with the historic Normandy landing just over a month away. “I always seem to be in the center of a whirlpool of hard work and trouble. I’m sure that my disposition shows the results, but I do manage to laugh at myself occasionally.” After mentioning his mother’s birthday, a rare good night’s sleep the night before, and some family news, he signs off with: “don’t forget me!”
“I THINK MOST OF US LIVE BY SLOGANS, RULES OF THUMB AND SHIBBOLETHS!”
Histories of the war were already rolling off the presses in 1944, and Eisenhower tells Mamie that “within the past two or three months I’ve seen a number of books written on the Mediterranean campaign of 1942-43. Some are amusing and some fairly accurate,” but he is amazed “that even reporters on the spot so frequently miss the true significance of what is happening in front of their eyes. I think most of us live by slogans, rules of thumb and shibboleths! So everything we say or do is colored accordingly.” It has been another “hard week,” he tells her. That must have been a severe understatement, with the historic Normandy landing just over a month away. “I always seem to be in the center of a whirlpool of hard work and trouble. I’m sure that my disposition shows the results, but I do manage to laugh at myself occasionally.” After mentioning his mother’s birthday, a rare good night’s sleep the night before, and some family news, he signs off with: “don’t forget me!”