Autographs
1954 Typed Letter Signed "Eleanor Roosevelt" with Thanks for Berries Sent from Roosevelt's Campobello Island
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT (1884-1962). Longest-serving First Lady of the United States, holding the post from 1933 to 1945 during her husband Franklin D. Roosevelt's four terms in office, Woman's Rights activist.
May 19, 1954-Dated, Typed Letter Signed, "Eleanor Roosevelt", measuring 6" x 7", 1 page, New York, Choice Very Fine. This Letter contains a few "corrections" in blue ink by Roosevelt's hand, and boldly signed in blue. Written on her personal stationary to Mrs. Linea Calder, at Campobello, Welshpool, New Brunswick, Canada - Campobello Island was the summer home of the Roosevelt family since 1883. Includes the original Transmittal Envelope, with her hand-stamped Free frank facsimile, "Anna Eleanor Roosevelt", and "FREE" handstamp.
Unusual content Letter in which Eleanor Roosevelt writes her "Thanks" for sending her order of berries from Campbello, which arrived and "look wonderful". This letter reads, in full:
"Dear Linea: - Thank you very much for your prompt attention to my order. The berries look wonderful and I am sure they will be fine. -- I hope you get the position with Mr. Adams. -- All best wishes to you and your Mother. -- Very sincerely yours, (Fully Signed) Eleanor Roosevelt". (2 items)
Roosevelt Campobello International Park preserves the house and surrounding landscape of the summer retreat of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt and their family. It is located on the southern tip of Campobello Island in the Canadian province of New Brunswick, and is connected to the mainland by the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Bridge, at Lubec, Maine in the United States.
The cottage, built in the Shingle Style and completed in 1897, was designed by Willard T. Sears. It was given as a wedding present to Franklin and Eleanor in 1908, from Franklin's mother Sara Roosevelt.
Here in August 1921, 39-year-old Roosevelt, who would go on to become the 32nd President of the United States, was stricken by a severe paralytic illness, believed to be polio at the time, leaving him permanently paralyzed from the waist down. FDR was no longer able to stay at the "beloved island", but he sailed there in 1933 and visited briefly in 1936 and 1939.
Eleanor Roosevelt loved the cool summer weather and visited many times with her children and friends. Armand Hammer acquired the cottage in 1952. After Eleanor's death in 1962, Hammer deeded the property to the governments of the U.S. and Canada. In 1964, they created the 2,800-acre (11 km2) International Park.