33rd President. Fantastic typed letter signed “Harry S. Truman” AS PRESIDENT, The White House Washington stationery, January 6, 1953, to the young son of his legislative assistant Joseph G. Feeney, who served from 1949 to 1952 as administrative assistant for legislation to Truman and Presidential adviser to the Bureau of the Budget. The playful letter reads, in full:

Thank you for that lovely greeting card. I always enjoy hearing from my young friends and I appreciate your remembrance of me.

I trust that ‘Santa’ was good to you and that you had a joyous Christmas. You have my best wishes for the New Year.

Truman has added a handwritten postscript:

Wonder what our squirrels will do when we both leave?

Accompanied by original White House mailing envelope.

In October 1949, Truman “appointed” then 5-year-old Richard Feeney as the official White House squirrel feeder. The story goes that his father (who was Truman’s administrative assistant) took him to the White House to meet the president, whereupon Feeney informed Truman that the White House squirrels were skinnier than the ones in Lafayette Park. So Truman promptly appointed him to be the White House squirrel feeder, noting that the Senate was in recess so their confirmation wasn’t needed. Feeney was to serve “at the pleasure of the President.”

We have handled more Truman letters than any other President - and this is one of our favorites we have ever seen! Great reference to “Santa” as well as Truman remembering his “appointment” of a young kid just weeks before leaving office.

Accompanied by an additional Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication / JSA