PRESIDENT DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER - INSCRIBED ILLUSTRATION SIGNED - HFSID 178341

DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER
B/w reproduction of a Thomas E. Stephens painting of Dwight Eisenhower, signed "with best wishes" by him for choreographer Leon Leonidoff.
Inscribed illustration signed "For Leon Leonidoff/with best wishes from/Dwight D. Eisenhower" in brown ink. B/w, 12x10¾ overall, 8½x7 image, one surface. According to typed notations on verso, this is a U. S. Army photographic reproduction of a 1953 painting by Thomas E. Stephens. LEON LEONIDOFF (1894 or 1895-1989) was co-founder of the Isba Russe Ballet Company. He joined Radio City Music Hall when it opened in 1932 and made his name with lavish musical productions for 42 years, including Easter and Christmas Nativity shows that became staples at the venue. In 1952, DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER (1890-1969, born in Denison, Texas) became the fifth General elected President because of his military leadership during wartime (the others were George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Zachary Taylor and Ulysses S. Grant). He headed the Allied Invasion of French North Africa (November 1942-May 1943) and directed the Allied Expeditionary Forces that invaded Normandy on June 6, 1944, recaptured France and overcame Germany. Appointed by President Harry S Truman, he served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from November 19, 1945 to February 7, 1949. Eisenhower's efforts in that capacity included the unification of the armed services under a centralized command and the demobilization of the wartime army. Eisenhower, who accepted the surrender of Germany on May 7, 1945, became a highly respected officer of the U.S. Army, and his popularity carried him into the presidency. Serving as the nation's 34th President from 1953 to 1961, Eisenhower, like Grant, was a graduate of West Point and had held no previous elective office before becoming President. Ironically, Eisenhower and Grant were the only two Republican Presidents to serve two complete four-year terms until Ronald Reagan took office. Extremely popular, "Ike" was the first U.S. President constitutionally ineligible to run for a third term in 1960. Like Washington and Jackson, Eisenhower became an active farmer after serving his two terms as President. Lightly toned, creased and bowed. Signature is faded but is legible. Light tear at top edge. Lightly chipped bottom edge. Rounded and worn corners. Otherwise in fine condition.