ALFRED E. SMITH - INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH MOUNT SIGNED - HFSID 2749

ALFRED E. SMITH
Mounted b/w bust illustration of Smith by Shayahay, signed "with best wishes of" Smith on mount
Photograph mount inscribed and signed: "To Freddie Stuart/with best wishes of Alfred Smith". B/w 5x7¾ photo, mounted to 7¾x9¾ sheet of cardboard (two surfaces). Copy of Shayahay pen-and-ink drawing. Alfred E. Smith (1873-1944), a vigorous reformer as Governor of New York (1919-1920, 1923-1928), was first suggested as a presidential possibility in 1920. His supporters were more numerous in 1924, when his name was placed in nomination by Franklin D. Roosevelt, who dubbed him the "happy warrior". Al Smith lost the nomination to John W. Davis on the 103rd ballot. As a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1928, he had no serious opposition and was nominated on the first ballot. In so doing, Smith became the first Roman Catholic presidential nominee of a major party. In the election, he was defeated by Herbert Hoover, winning only eight states and losing New York. After leaving politics, Smith became President of Empire State, Inc., the corporation that erected and operated the Empire State Building. Although he gave belated support to Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1932 presidential election, Smith soon broke with his old friend and supported Republicans Landon in 1936 and Willkie in 1940. A forceful opponent to Roosevelt's New Deal, Smith died a month before the 1944 election at the age of 70. Illustration is lightly toned, creased and bowed. Illustration has separated from mount and is discolored from adhesive. Pencil note (unknown hand) on verso of photograph. Mount is lightly toned and soiled. Small stain or spot of adhesive residue in lower left corner. Paper loss and adhesive residue on verso of mount. Otherwise, fine condition.