Details
TRUMAN, Harry S. Two autograph letters signed ("Harry"), as former President, to John Snyder, Coconut Island, Hawaii, 28 April 1953 and Venice, 27 June 1958. Together 4 pages, 4to, on stationery of Harry S. Truman and the Chateua du Domaine St. Martin, slight closed tears along edge of 1958 letter.
"HOW GOOD THE 'OLD GAL' IN NEW YORK HARBOR WILL LOOK"
Released from the burdens of the Presidency, Truman describes a desperately needed respite in Hawaii just after leaving office; and another vacation 5 years later when the common people of Europe poured out their appreciation for the Marshall Plan. "We have had a great and glorious vacation," Truman writes from Kaneohe Bay in 1953, "...and we have had a chance to relax, consider and catch up on sleep." Only three public events impinged upon his R&R: "church the first Sunday, a degree by the University of Hawaii and a formal review of the Marines at this base. They gave me 21 guns believe it or not and the C. in C. Pacific told me I'd always rate it from the navy!" Five years later he's in Venice, telling Snyder "I've been eating my way through Southern France and sleeping 8 hours or more a day, watching it rain ...and bracing myself against winds that would put Kansas to shame in March. I'm getting in shape fro a slambang campaign when I come home [the midterm elections]." He'd been to Avignon, Nimes, Arles, Menton and Monte Carlo. "They yelled at me in Naples, Genoa and all the rest of the places I've named in a most happy and friendly manner." The management at the Negresco and the Hotel du Paris in Monte Carlo wouldn't take his money, he says, "because of the Marshall Plan, Point 4 and Korea! Beat that if you can..." He's having a "nice time" but looks forward to coming back home. "And how good the 'Old Gal' in New York harbor will look," he says wistfully . Together two items. (2)
"HOW GOOD THE 'OLD GAL' IN NEW YORK HARBOR WILL LOOK"
Released from the burdens of the Presidency, Truman describes a desperately needed respite in Hawaii just after leaving office; and another vacation 5 years later when the common people of Europe poured out their appreciation for the Marshall Plan. "We have had a great and glorious vacation," Truman writes from Kaneohe Bay in 1953, "...and we have had a chance to relax, consider and catch up on sleep." Only three public events impinged upon his R&R: "church the first Sunday, a degree by the University of Hawaii and a formal review of the Marines at this base. They gave me 21 guns believe it or not and the C. in C. Pacific told me I'd always rate it from the navy!" Five years later he's in Venice, telling Snyder "I've been eating my way through Southern France and sleeping 8 hours or more a day, watching it rain ...and bracing myself against winds that would put Kansas to shame in March. I'm getting in shape fro a slambang campaign when I come home [the midterm elections]." He'd been to Avignon, Nimes, Arles, Menton and Monte Carlo. "They yelled at me in Naples, Genoa and all the rest of the places I've named in a most happy and friendly manner." The management at the Negresco and the Hotel du Paris in Monte Carlo wouldn't take his money, he says, "because of the Marshall Plan, Point 4 and Korea! Beat that if you can..." He's having a "nice time" but looks forward to coming back home. "And how good the 'Old Gal' in New York harbor will look," he says wistfully . Together two items. (2)