FIRST LADY MAMIE DOUD EISENHOWER - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/19/1971 - HFSID 295461

MAMIE DOUD EISENHOWER
Handwritten letter to a friend, grateful that someone could still "have a family wedding like Ike and I had back in 1915".
Autograph Letter signed: "Mamie E", 2 pages (front and verso), 4x6. No place, but postmarked Gettysburg, Pennsyvania, 1971 January 19. On personal letterhead to "Dear Frances" [Strecker], in full: "Thank you for the clippings re Susan's wedding. It was nice they could have a family wedding like Ike and I had back in 1916 at 750 Lafayette St. Still busy and hope to go to Augusta next month. Love". Accompanied by original mailing envelope with her stamped frank.On July 1, 1916, 25-year-old Second Lieutenant Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969) and 19-year-old Mamie Geneva Doud (1896-1979) were married in Denver, Colorado. They had two sons: Dwight Doud Eisenhower (1917-1920) and John Sheldon Doud Eisenhower (born in 1923). As an Army wife for 37 years, Mamie grew accustomed to entertaining groups of influential people, a talent she drew upon during her eight years as the White House hostess (1953-1961). In their 53 years of married life, the Eisenhower's lived in 33 homes; their last in Gettysburg was the only home they owned together. During Ike's final illness, Mamie moved into Walter Reed Army Hospital to be with him during the final months of his life. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the fifth general to be elected President, served as the nations' 34th President from 1953 to 1961. From the collection of George Strecker, an advertising executive at the Chicago Tribune who became close to the Eisenhower's through his wife, Frances, a long-time friend with Mamie Doud Eisenhower. Multiple mailing folds. Ink lightly beaded but legible. Lightly toned at edges. Fine condition.