SOLD Franklin Roosevelt Tenders a Personal Invitation to His 1st Inauguration to the Governor of Mon

While the economic depression damaged Herbert Hoover and the Republicans, Roosevelt’s bold efforts to combat it in New York enhanced his reputation. In Chicago in 1932, Roosevelt won the nomination as the Democratic Party candidate for president. He broke with tradition and flew to Chicago to dramatically accept the nomination in person, then campaigned energetically calling for government intervention in the economy to provide relief, recovery, and reform. His activist approach and personal charm helped to defeat Hoover in November 1932 in a landslide.

On the eve of the March 1933 inauguration, the nation’s banking system collapsed as millions of panicky depositors tried to withdraw savings that the banks had tied up in long-term loans. Approximately 12 to 14 million Americans were unemployed and business nearly ground to a halt. At his Inauguration, in perhaps the most famous Inaugural Address ever given, Roosevelt told the nation that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" and promised effective leadership in the crisis. That same day he closed the banks by proclamation and summoned a special session of Congress for the passage of emergency legislation.

Typed Letter Signed as president-elect on his personal letterhead, New York, January 26, 1933, to John Erickson, Governor of Montana, whom he addresses as “My Dear Governor.””It will give Mrs. Roosevelt and me great pleasure if you and Mrs. Erickson can attend the Inaugural ceremonies on March 4th. It is my thought that we should all cooperate toward every possible saving in government expenditures and that therefore no State should send any of its National Guard or Militia to take part in the Inaugural parade. I understand from Rear Admiral Grayson, the Chairman of the Inaugural Committee in Washington, that an automobile will be provided in the parade for each Governor and one or two members of his Personal Staff and that each car will carry the State Flag. I shall be happy, of course, if any of the citizens of your State will come to the Inauguration and will march in the parade, if they care to do so. The arrangements for this should be taken up with Rear Admiral Cary T. Grayson, who lives in Washington. I hope that after the Inaugural ceremonies at the Capitol, you and Mrs. Erickson will come immediately to the White House to an informal luncheon. The parade starts immediately thereafter.”

The letter has been trimmed in the left margin. Accompanying this letter is the large, original Inaugural invitation received by Gov. Erickson; an invitation to a reception for the governors of the states, which took place March 3 at 10 PM at Washington’s Willard Hotel; a card for the Governor and Mrs. Erickson to present upon entering the Willard; a card stating that detailed plans for the Inauguration were not yet complete and more information would be provided to the governors later; and an invitation from Mrs. Roosevelt dated February 5, 1934, inviting then-Senator Erickson and his wife and daughter to the White House.