EISENHOWER, Dwight D. (1890-1969). Autograph letter signed ("Ike") to his wife Mamie, n.p., 27 September [1943].

One page, 202 x 263mm., on Allied Force Headquarters letterhead (typical mailing folds). Accompanied with the original transmittal envelope, signed "Dwight D Eisenhower" in the censor stamp, postmarked 4 October, 1943.

Just weeks after the surrender of Italy to Allied Forces, General Eisenhower writes of the "straight & unadulterated venom" of politics. Eisenhower writes to his wife: "...The date above is a mere guess on my part - but it's Monday... yesterday I had a long, typewritten V-mail from Johnny [Eisenhower's son]... His morale seems to be good but said 'first class year [at West Point] is not the deadbeat it was when you were here!!'...My life is a mixture of politics & war. The latter is bad enough - but I've been trained for it! The former is straight & unadulterated venom! - But I have to devote lots of my time, and much more of my good disposition, to it..." Eisenhower's aversion to politics here is quite ironic given his later ascension to the Presidency, though what political or diplomatic experience the general did gain was earned by his service in military positions, including as Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in WWII. Particularly notably, this letter was written just a few weeks after the Italian surrender to the Allies, when the secret "Armistice of Cassibile" was signed on 3 September 1943. Eisenhower served as chief representative for the secret negotiations with Italy's new government under Marshal Badoglio for weeks before the signing of the armistice, and after the secret armistice was signed, Eisenhower announced the surrender publicly on 8 September from Algiers.

[WITH]: EISENHOWER, Mamie (1896-1979). Document signed ("Mamie D. Eisenhower"), Washington, 24 May 1943. One page, 208 x 80mm. (punch cancelled, non-intrusive of signature.) A check issued to Frank R. Jelleff Inc, a Washington D.C.-based retailer of women's apparel, for $15.50.