Lot 100: ROOSEVELT, Franklin D. D-Day Prayer by President Franklin D. Roosevelt from the White House. June 6, 1944. Here printed for his friends at Christmastide 1944. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, December 1944.

8vo. Text in black, red and blue. Original vellum-backed marbled boards, black morocco lettering piece, t.e.g., others uncut (spine with slightest age-toning); original publisher's board slipcase. FDR'S FINAL WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS BOOK LIMITED EDITION, number 45 of 100 copies, PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED BY THE PRESIDENT TO HIS YOUNGEST SON AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW on the front free endpaper: "For Johnny and Anne with love from Pa Christmastide 1944 Franklin D. Roosevelt." The President's D-Day prayer, delivered in the evening of June 6, 1944 after Allied forces commenced their invasion of Nazi-occupied Normandy, helped salve the nation's worries during this traumatic period. Its moving cadence is evidenced throughout: "Almighty God: our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity... Many people have urged that I call the Nation to a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves to a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts." Inscribed copies of this Christmas book are scarce. See Halter pp.193-4. A FINE ASSOCIATION COPY.