Americana - 61 - Bauman Rare Books “The Western World Has Been Freed Of Evil Forces”: Truman’s Proclamation At Nazi Germany’s Surrender, Boldly Signed By Him, With Christmas Presentation Card From The Trumans 57. TRUMAN, Harry. A Proclamation. Washington, May 8, 1945. Large official broadside, measuring 11 by 16 inches; matted and framed, entire piece measures 19-1/2 by 29 inches. $16,500. Large elaborate signed three-color broadside of President Truman’s proclamation upon the Nazi surrender to the Allied forces, praising the armed forces and designating a day of prayer to offer “joyful thanks to God for the victory we have won and to pray that He will… guide us into the ways of peace.” Handsomely set in Gothic type and boldly signed in ink “Harry Truman.” Also with a printed Christmas 1945 presentation card from the Trumans. Truman read this proclamation at a news conference held in his office at the White House on Tuesday, May 8, 1945. Before reading, he remarked: “This is a solemn but glorious hour. General Eisenhower informs me that the forces of Germany have surrendered to the United Nations. The flags of freedom fly all over Europe.” In this triumphal proclamation President Truman gives special praise to the armed forces: “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 peoples, whose spirit and will the oppressors could never enslave.” Set handsomely in two columns of Gothic type, with large gilt initial letter and red andblue paragraph letters, this elegant broadside commemorates one of history’s greatest military victories. Without lozenge bearing the seal; with scarce red, white and blue ribbon used to tie the document when rolled and with printed Christmas 1945 presentation card from President Truman and the First Lady. Fine condition.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDg3OTM=