Authentic Signatures.
Timeless Legacies.

Harry Truman – LS, as vice-president, February 27, 1945. In a chatty letter to his close friend Eddie McKim, Truman confesses to a mistake with one of the most famous photos of Truman’s life. “When I see you I will tell you just how the gal picture happened. They will never get a chance to take another one. I knew it was wrong when it happened.”

Truman had been vice president for less than a month when he appeared at the Washington Press Club for a tribute to veterans. Truman was more than happy to do his part by playing the piano for hundreds of servicemen. In an unscripted moment, at least for Truman, the young actress Lauren Bacall was planted on top of the piano. Photographers quickly snapped photos of the starlet’s bare legs dangling in front of smiling vice president tickling the ivory.

When the photo appeared in all the papers, Truman had a very unhappy wife on his hands. In a rare reference to the incident and an even rarer admission of a mistake, Truman hinted at a being set-up. Bacall was such a little-known star, Truman seems not to have even known her name, referring to her obliquely as “the gal.” She would become more famous three months later when she married Humphrey Bogart. Of course, he would become more famous himself in less than two months when he became president.

Truman signs the letter “Harry” and adds a holograph postscript “My best to Mary & the kids”. The letter shows age toning, but the ink is strong and clear. The reference to one of his most famous and embarrassing moments makes this one of Truman’s best vice- presidential letters, indeed an outstanding Truman letter of any period.

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