ROOSEVELT ELEANOR: (1884-1962) American Political Leader, wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt. First Lady of the United ...

ROOSEVELT ELEANOR: (1884-1962) American Political Leader, wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt. First Lady of the United States 1933-45. T.L.S., Eleanor Roosevelt, as First Lady, one page, 8vo, Washington, 12th May 1939, to George [Bye], on the gold printed stationery of The White House. Roosevelt announces 'I always mean to call you and Arlene by your first names, but habit seems to be too strong and overcomes my feelings at times!', further adding that she is sorry about an unpleasant experience they had, but pleased her comment took them out of their depression ('I really meant what I said'). The First Lady concludes her letter 'I am looking forward to our trip to Arthurdale, and just knowing you and Arlene are interested enough to go pleases me tremendously, so don't work too hard on the dazzling conversation! You both are always interesting companions'. Together with a second T.L.S., with her initials E.R., as First Lady, one page, 8vo, Washington, 10th May 1941, also to George [Bye], on the gold printed stationery of The White House. Roosevelt thanks her correspondent for having sent a plan and remarks 'I will have some one analyze it before using it in my column as I do not want to do anything about it until I find out if it has merit'. About EX, 2 £100-150 George T. Bye (1887-1957) American Literary Agent of Eleanor Roosevelt 1935-47. Arthurdale was the site of an important social-engineering project initiated by Eleanor Roosevelt in the mid-1930s in West Virginia. Designed to improve the lives of coal miners and their families who were suffering from the Great Depression, the planned community included farms, homes, schools, shops and medical facilities. The government purchased the land with the understanding that the residents would homestead it and repay the loan after achieving a successful community. The community and others like it were to be models for eliminating poverty. During her numerous visits to Arthurdale, Roosevelt made a lasting impression on the people she touched.