Lot 295

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

Franklin D. Roosevelt & 5 Others Sign WWII Dated Photograph Aboard "U.S.S. Baltimore"

A remarkable period photograph signed by 32nd U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) and five others aboard the "U.S.S. Baltimore" at Honolulu, Hawaii in July 1944. This piece was sold at R.M. Smythe in November 2001 as part of a 3-part lot; the other two items have since been removed from the current offering. Accompanied by a sizable and significant file of provenance relating to Dr. Howard G. Bruenn (1905-1995), the cardiologist and personal physician of President Roosevelt. Dr. Bruenn received the signed photo as a gift while treating President Roosevelt.

The matte black and white period photograph is signed by President Roosevelt as "Franklin D Roosevelt" at top right. Also signed, left to right, by: Roosevelt's physician Ross T. McIntire, as "Ross T. McIntire"; Admiral Wilson Brown as "Wilson Brown"; General Edwin M. Watson as "Pa Watson"; Admiral William D. Leahy as "William D Leahy"; and presidential speechwriter Samuel I. Rosenman as "Samuel I. Rosenman". Dr. Gruenn is pictured second from right in the back row. Mounted on a cream mat inscribed "Honolulu / July - 1944". Roosevelt's signature is a little light, and three of the five additional signatures appear on a darker background. Else near fine. The photo measures 9.875" x 8". The mat front is detached from the backing, with isolated water stains and age-toning. Else very good. The overall matted size measures 12.5" x 11".

President Roosevelt visited Pearl Harbor and met with American military leaders during his July 1944 trip to Hawaii. The photograph was taken aboard the "U.S.S. Baltimore" on July 26, 1944.

Dr. Bruenn was the first physician to correctly diagnose Roosevelt's grave heart condition in early 1944, and thereafter, he was made Roosevelt's personal physician. Dr. Bruenn attended Roosevelt at the White House and also while traveling. In this manner, Dr. Bruenn was present at the Yalta Conference, and at Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Bruenn witnessed Roosevelt's death at Warm Springs, Georgia on April 12, 1945 from a fatal stroke and recorded his last words. Dr. Bruenn retired from medical practice in 1975.

The provenance includes:

- Select photocopies of published material relating to Dr. Howard G. Bruenn (1905-1995). The photocopies are from Robert H. Ferrell, "The Dying President: Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1944-1945" (Columbia, Missouri: University of Missouri Press, 1998); and an interview published in the March-April 1990 issue of Navy Medicine entitled "The President's Cardiologist".

- A representative piece of correspondence exchanged between James H. Bruenn (Dr. Howard G. Bruenn's son) and representatives from R.M. Smythe & Company (New York, New York) in August 2001 preceding the November 2001 auction

- R.M. Smythe catalog entry from the sale featuring this signed photograph as part of Lot 447, "World War II: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston S. Churchill and Joseph Stalin"

An exceptional World War II collectible!

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.


Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

August 19, 2020 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000