- A World War II victory proclamation broadside signed by 33rd U.S President Harry S. Truman
- Presented in a historic frame made from original 19th century White House roof timbers
Harry S. Truman (1884 - 1972) served as 33rd President of the United States from 1945 until 1953
During his time in office he became the first and only world leader to authorize military use of a nuclear weapon in war; implemented the Marshall Plan to rebuild the economy of Western Europe after WWII; and helped establish NATO.
An impressive, printed in colour World War II victory proclamation broadside document on heavy-stock presentation paper, dated 8th May, 1945.
The document is a transcript of Truman's VE Day speech, announcing the Allied Victory over Europe and setting aside 13th May, 1945 as a Day of Prayer.
It reads in full:
"The Allied Armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with God's help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional surrender.
"The Western World has been freed of the evil forces which for five years and longer have imprisoned the bodies and broken the lives of millions upon millions of free-born men. They have violated their churches, destroyed their homes, corrupted their children, and murdered their loved ones.
"Our Armies of Liberation have restored freedom to these suffering people, whose spirit and will the oppressors could never enslave. Much remains to be done. The victory won in the West must now be won in the East.
"The whole world must be cleansed of the evil from which half the world has been freed. United the peace-loving nations have demonstrated in the West that their arms are stronger by far than the might of the dictators or the tyranny of military cliques that once called us soft and weak…
"Now, therefore, I, Harry S. Truman, President of the United States of America, do hereby appoint Sunday, May 13, 1945, to be a day of prayer. I call upon the people of the United States, whatever their faith, to unite in offering joyful thanks to God for the victory we have won and to pray that he will support us to the end of our present struggle and guide us into the ways of peace.
"I also call upon my countrymen to dedicate this day of prayer to the memory of those who have given their lives to make possible our victory. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed."
Truman printed a small number of these proclamation broadsides as Christmas gifts for his White House staff and cabinet in 1945.
This particular example is believed to be unique, as it is housed in a wooden frame crafted from original 19th century White House roof timbers.
These pine timbers were used to rebuild the White House in 1817, after it was destroyed by British Forces during the War of 1812.
They formed the roof of the Executive Mansion for 110 years, during which time 26 U.S Presidents including Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt lived beneath them.
They were removed during remodelling in 1927, and in 1933 they were salvaged by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to be used by craftsmen at her Val-Kill factory in New York to make objects including this picture frame.
It bears an original engraved metal plaque from the factory which reads: "This wood was part of the White House roof. Erected about 1817 and removed in 1927."
This is one of the finest pieces of U.S Presidential, WWII, and American history we have had the pleasure of offering in years.
Free global delivery. 28-day returns. Certificate of Authenticity and our Lifetime Moneyback Guarantee of Authenticity included.
- BUY NOW: Order online, by phone +44 (0)1534 639 998, or via email info@paulfrasercollectibles.com
