Lot 157: HOOVER,

Herbert (1875-1964). President. Autograph letter signed ("Herbert Hoover") to the Domestic Commerce Division, Washington, D.C., 15 June 1928. 1 page, 4to (6 7/8 x 9 in.), integral blank, Secretary of Commerce stationery, lightly toned, otherwise in fine condition. A PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL BIDS FAREWELL TO HIS COLLEAGUES AS HE PREPARES FOR THE CAMPAIGN Hoover pens a brief note of thanks to his staff: "I am grateful not alone for your touching expression, but for these many years of personal loyalty and service." After his support of Warren G. Harding for President in 1920, Hoover was appointed Secretary of Commerce and remained at that post during the Coolidge administration. In this position, Hoover proved an able leader, expanding the Bureau of Standards into a testing facility for a wide range of products and increasing the amount of data collected by the Census Bureau. In 1927, he undertook regulation of the air waves under the Radio Act. When President Coolidge declared that he would not run for reelection in 1928, the path to the White House was opened for Hoover, even though Coolidge declined to endorse any candidate. By the time the Republicans convened in June, Hoover was the clear front runner and his resignation as Commerce Secretary allowed him to concentrate his efforts on his campaign. Autograph letters by Hoover are very scarce. "Even more than Woodrow Wilson, he was addicted to the typewriter. For most of his adult life he took one with him even on the fishing vacations that were his main source of relaxation. At one time Hoover himself claimed that he had not written more than a dozen autograph letters, and although this estimate was off the mark, his ALSs remain elusive" (John M. Taylor, From the White House Inkwell, Santa Monica, 1989, p.176). Provenance: Paul C. Richards Autographs, 1983.