[Rarebooks] FS: Inscribed FDR

[Charles Agvent]

ROOSEVELT, Franklin D. ON OUR WAY with the Sotheby's 16 June  1992
auction  catalogue. New York: John Day (1934). First Edition. Original
blue  cloth.  Early issue with errors on pages x and  162  uncorrected
and  with  the  errata slip laid in. An important book,  the  recently
elected  president's  presentation  of his plans, referred to  as  the
"New  Deal"  by  the  people,  to pull America from  the  pit  of  the
Depression.  INSCRIBED  and  SIGNED on the front  free  endpaper  "For
Babe/with  love from/Franklin D. Roosevelt." This book sold as lot 273
in  Sotheby's 16 June 1992 auction as the personal copy of  Marguerite
("Missy")  Le  Hand, FDR's personal secretary from 1920 until  illness
forced  her retirement in 1942. She worked with FDR both at the  State
House  in  Albany and at the White House during his first three  terms
as  president,  establishing  an intimate relationship with  him  that
many  thought,  and many still think, went beyond mere friendship.  We
have  uncovered  no other instance, however, when FDR referred to  her
as  "Babe." Possibly the recipient was Barbara Cushing, known as Babe,
the  youngest daughter of the famous surgeon, Dr. Harvey Cushing,  and
later  married  to CBS tycoon William Paley. Her sister, Betsy,  later
married  to  Jock  Whitney,  was at this time married  to  FDR's  son,
James.  Living  for  a time in the White House with her  husband,  the
beautiful  and  young  Betsy many times served as a companion  to  the
lonely  president.  Possibly, FDR was writing this inscription to  the
younger  sister of his daughter-in-law. But the question remains: What
was  this  book doing in the possessions of Missy Le Hand? Perhaps  we
will  never have an answer. Spine sunned, as usual. Very Good, lacking
the dustwrapper.                                              $6500.00

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CHARLES AGVENT
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