President Harry S. Truman State of the Union Address January 9, 1952 [Advance Press Transcript].

TRUMAN, Harry S.

Item Number: 125763

[Washington, D.C.]:, 1952.

Rare advance press transcript of Truman’s penultimate State of the Union Address, delivered at the height of the Korean War and discussing steps that the free world was taking to halt Soviet and Chinese Communist aggression. Folio, five pages, typescript. Presentation copy, inscribed by Truman at the conclusion of the speech, “Harry Truman Best of luck to the twins! Feb 3. 1954.” The hot war in Korea and cold war in Europe came to dominate the end of Truman’s second term, and also dominate this speech. Doubts about his ability to handle these crises were lowering the President’s popularity daily, and several months after delivering it he announced he would not run in 1952. In fine condition. Housed in a custom cloth chemise and half morocco slipcase. Rare, as this confidential distribution would have been produced in a very small number, most being discarded after use.

Harry S. Truman was the 33rd president of the United States from 1945 to 1953, succeeding upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt after serving as vice president. Truman gained national prominence as chairman of the Truman Committee in 1934 aimed at reducing waste and inefficiency in wartime contracts. Soon after succeeding to the presidency he authorized the first and only use of nuclear weapons in war. Truman's administration engaged in an internationalist foreign policy and renounced isolationism. He rallied his New Deal coalition during the 1948 presidential election and won a surprise victory that secured his own presidential term. When he left office, Truman's presidency was criticized, but scholars rehabilitated his image in the 1960s and he is ranked as one of the best presidents.