^Lot 118 Franklin D. Roosevelt

War-dated TLS as president, one page, 7 x 9, White House letterhead, August 19, 1944. Letter of thanks for a sent gift. In full: “It was extremely thoughtful of you to remember my interest in naval items and I am especially pleased to have that silver platter as a memento of the scrapped battleship FLORIDA. Many, many thanks.” In fine condition, with some scattered light toning and soiling. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope. The USS Florida was built at the New York Navy Yard, launched on May 12, 1910, commissioned on September 15, 1911, and operated in the western Atlantic and Caribbean areas for the next six years. During FDR’s service in the Department of the Navy, the 21,825 ton battleship took part in the US intervention at Vera Cruz, Mexico in April-July 1914. She was decommissioned in February 1931 and scrapped at the Philadelphia Navy Yard later in that year.