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Lot #228
Harry S. Truman

Passing along a lengthy letter from an eccentric inventor, preceding a trip “to the nuts home state”

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Estimate: $1200+
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Description

Passing along a lengthy letter from an eccentric inventor, preceding a trip “to the nuts home state”

ANS as president signed "H. S. T.," one page, 5 x 8, White House letterhead, no date. Note to Secretary of the Treasury John Snyder concerning a lengthy letter written to Truman from a Stockton, California, inventor. Truman writes: "Looks like this person has the answer. Read it and see what you think. Going to the nuts home state you may see him." The letter Truman refers to, which is included, is from Charles Edwin Ashton. The back of the last page reads, "Mrs. Truman will you kindly give this to Mr. Truman when you are alone as no one will see it and after he has read it please destroy it. Thank You so much." The letter, two pages, both sides, reads, in part: "Now as to my plan to pay the National debt, here it is. Present a bill to both houses providing for a repeal of all kinds of taxes such as Real Estate, Personal Property, Income, Inheritance, Vacation and Auto Taxes and in their place a 3¢ tax on every dollar spent for any thing…Now Christ said to them that give it shall be given. So I say to you have a bill passed by Congress to give all old people in U.S. over 60 years of age who will stop competing for wages $50.00 a week each which must all be spent in 7 days…I am planning on taking over the old people myself with my new great invention the greatest the world has yet seen. With my new invention working together I will go on a non-stop flight around the world in 24 hours. I wish you could see my drawings as quite a few of confidential friends have and some navy technicians have and all have said 'We see no reason at all why it will not work.' I am planning on this invention helping all countries to an elimination of their poor. If you can't get away incognito come out and see my drawings and if I can get any money from my cotton picker I will have a working model in 30 days from the time I get the money and in less than 30 days from then I will have an auto running by the power of this invention. Do not mention this to a soul." In fine condition, with a paperclip to top edge, and scattered creases to Ashton's letter.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: March Auction
  • Dates: #523 - Ended March 07, 2018





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