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[Franklin D.] [Roosevelt] Presidential Memorabili

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34th President. Unsigned, original (and confidential) press release copy of F.D.R.'s third inaugural address together with his State of the Union address for 1940. The copy which was found among the papers of his personal secretary, Grace Tully, bears a notice at the top: "HOLD FOR RELEASE...". His third inaugural address, 4 pages, legal folio, [Washington], Jan. 20, 1941 bears the notice: "The following, the Third Inaugural Address to be delivered by Franklin D. Roosevelt, MUST BE HELD IN STRICT CONFIDENCE and no portion, synopsis or intimation shall be released until its delivery actually had begun...". The address, in historical context, sounds quite ominous. Though delivered nearly a year before the U.S. would enter the Second World War, Roosevelt was clearly preparing the country for it: "...In the face of great perils never before encountered, our strong purpose is to protect and to perpetuate the integrity of democracy...We do not retreat. We are not content to stand still...". The press copy of the 1940 State of the Union carries a similar confidentially statement at the top and has a similar ominous tone: "...In previous messages to the Congress I have repeatedly warned that, whether we like it or not, the daily lives of American citizens will, of necessity, feel the shock of events on other continents. This is no longer mere theory for it has been definitely proved by the facts of yesterday and today...". Stapled at top left and bear two horizontal folds, otherwise in very good condition. A fine relic from the estate of his personal secretary.

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