JO DAVIDSON - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 03/20/1947 - HFSID 18911

JO DAVIDSON
TLS gathering signatures to accompany a message to be carried to Britain by Henry Wallace
Typed Letter signed: "Jo Davidson", 1 page, 7¼x10½. New York, N.Y., 1947 March 20. On personal letterhead to "Dear Mr. Padover". In full: "I am sure that you know that Henry Wallace has accepted an invitation to visit England early in April. In connection with this visit, several of us have gotten together to take that occasion to send to the people of Britain a message of greeting and friendship. The text of the message is attached. [Item not included.] We hope that several hundred outstanding Americans will affix their signatures to this message which will be put into the press there and in this country. Among those who have already signed it are Senators Elbert D. Thomas, James Murray, Claude Pepper and Congressman Adolph Sabath, Helen Gahagan Douglas, John Blatnik and others. I believe you share the anxiety that so many people feel about the troubled world situation. This expression from American progressives should have a most heartening and encouraging effect. I hope you will sign the attached message and return it in the enclosed envelope. Sincerely yours". Jo Davidson (1883-1952) was a realistic portrait sculptor whose subjects included Franklin Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin. He did not require that his subjects pose; he simply observed them closely. He modeled in clay before producing final busts in terra cotta, marble and bronze. Davidson was a leader of left-wing activist groups which formed the base of support for Henry Wallace's Progressive Party Presidential campaign of 1948. His bust of Wallace is part of the US Senate's Vice Presidential collection. Adhesive residue at right and left edges. Two horizontal mailing creases. Bottom edge toned. Corners lightly creased. Pencil note(unknown hand) on verso. Otherwise, fine condition.