AMERICANA 54 “Please Take Out The Page With The Fact Of My Utter Worthlessness In Football Printed On It” 70PATTON, George S. Autograph letter signed. West Point, New York, April 23, 1907. One leaf folded into four pages, 5-1/4 by 6-1/2 inches. $6000 Lengthy autograph letter signed by West Point cadet George Patton to his wife-to-be, Beatrice Ayer, at a time when they are both convalescing from whooping cough. The letter reads, in part: “Dear Beatrice; Say but you are in the very devil of a fix but if writing can help you and as you cant talk I should think it might prevent explosion why please write for there is nothing I like better than to get your letters and I have had the whooping cough. Truly though I am very sorry you are sick and only console myself that it gives me an excuse to bother you with a Howitzer [the West Point Academy yearbook]... please take out the page with the fact of my utter worthless in football printed on it... It has been very cold here also but there have been no fires and no Willies and the only exciting thing has been the fight between Mrs. A. and the Com. And oh yes we beat Yale at baseball but I was out running and did not see it... And now please don’t Whoop any more not even at this letter. Wednesday, George Patton. [added in pencil] 23 April 1907.” Fine condition. Warmly Inscribed By Ike To “An Outstanding Soldier In Two World Wars” 71EISENHOWER, Dwight D. Crusade in Europe. Garden City, 1948. Thick octavo, original tan linen, acetate, slipcase, custom box. $12,800 Signed limited first edition, one of 1426 copies signed by Eisenhower at the bottom of his D-Day message to Allied troops; this copy additionally inscribed by him on the limitation leaf: “For Brigadier General Frank Coffey—outstanding soldier in two World Wars, with best wishes and lasting regard to him and his wife, Louise, from their devoted friend, Ike Eisenhower.” Eisenhower’s memoir provides an important and unique perspective on the difficult command-level decisions that decided the outcome of World War II. Included are numerous battlefield and theater maps (a number in color), as well as photographic illustrations selected by Edward Steichen. Only light rubbing to slipcase edges; book and original acetate, often not present, both fine. An excellent presentation copy, inscribed to a fellow officer.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDg3OTM=