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Sale 24
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Lot 86
Roosevelt, Franklin D. Statue of a Chinese man, 5½ inches high, that President Roosevelt kept on his desk in the White House. The statue is called "Ho Toi" (Lucky Boy) and has information on the bottom of the base on people born in January (FDR's birth month). It was one of numerous knick knacks on FDR's desk (see enclosed photo). The statue was taken as a memento by Toi Bachelder, one of Roosevelt's personal secretaries, after his death. Her handwritten letter of provenance, written to Raleigh DeGeer Amyx on stationery imprinted with the Presidential Seal and "The White House / Washington, D.C."and dated January 30, 1986, tells the story. In part, "After our return from the F.D.R. Grave-side services at Hyde Park and before President Truman moved into the President's Oval Office (after personal belongings had been removed by family, close staff members and friends) Grace Tully gave me the opportunity to choose whatever I wished from President Roosevelt's desk top. Since I never went into that office that he didn't say - 'Well here's Ho Toi,' I chose the small 'Ho Toi' Chinese statue….It was my good fortune to have met F.D.R. in 1925 in Warm Springs, Georgia. I was one of the first 25 polio test patients. Over the years I came to know him quite well. After he became President in 1933 I was offered a position at the White House as a secretary. I served him from 1933 to 1945. It was my privilege to travel on every train trip to Warm Springs, including the last….FDR was exceptionately kind to me. He was a great man. I shall always miss him.".
Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,500.
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| Realized $8,050 |
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