HOOVER, HERBERT. (1874-1964). Thirty-first president of the United States. TLS. (“Herbert Hoover”). 1p. 4to. N.p., April 27, 1936. On a sheet of his imprinted stationery to Mary E. Brooks.
I speak in Philadelphia on May 14th. I would suggest that you get in touch with Mrs. Lorimer who can direct you where you can obtain some tickets. I am indebted to you for your most kind expressions.
Mrs. George H. Lorimer, center (Alma Viola Ennis, 1870-1941)
Hoover left the White House in 1932 defeated and embarrassed, “a lonely and bitter figure, shunned by many former friends” (DAB). He moved first to Palo Alto, and then New York, whence our letter was likely written. In 1934 he published The Challenge to Liberty, followed by an eight-volume work entitled Addresses Upon the American Road, published between 1936 and 1961. In 1936, the same year as our letter, Hoover was elected chairman of the Boys Club of America, and established the Hoover Library on War, Revolution and Peace at his alma mater Stanford University. Hoover had a lifelong friendship with Mrs. and Mr. George H. Lorimer, editor-in-chief of the immensely influential magazine the Saturday Evening Post. “Lorimer knew many presidents personally, and nearly every president during his editorship contributed to the Post, but he was most active in promoting the fortunes of Herbert Hoover” (DAB). Boldly signed. With a large pencil check-mark written across part of the text, not affecting the signature. Otherwise fine.
