Holographic Cable Signed.
Aboard the S. S. Cleveland: c. May 5, 1953. Holograph in the 33rd President's hand. One page on American President Lines letterhead imprinted "Mrs. Harry Truman", 7.25" x 10.25"; aboard the SS President Cleveland. A cable addressed to George Killion, president of American President Lines.
Following leaving office after the 1953 Eisenhower inauguration, Truman, his wife Bess and their daughter Margaret vacationed in Hawaii. They arrived on March 29th as guests of businessman and oil executive Edwin Pauly onboard the SS President Cleveland. They returned to San Francisco via the same ship on May 5th. It can be surmised that the cable was sent within a week of arrival. George Killion was high-ranking Democrat who worked as a fund-raiser on Truman's presidential campaign.
George L. Killion (1901 -1983), had a reputation as a financial wizard who used his talent in many sectors, including government, industry and charitable groups. The jobs ranged from heading the March of Dimes in San Francisco to being chairman of the board of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer from 1957 to 1977. He worked as a fund-raiser in the campaigns of Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy and Johnson. From 1944 to 1947, he was treasurer of the Democratic National Committee. In 1966, in the Johnson Administration, he was named an alternate representative to the United Nations with the rank of ambassador. In 1972, Mr. Killion was appointed a national vice chairman of Democrats for Richard M. Nixon. Fine, flattened mail folds. Item #823
"Cable / To: Hon. George Killion, President, American President Lines. San Francisco. Glad to use the Fairmount Suite. Hope you and Mrs. Killion can have dinner with us and Mr. Gilmore in Oakland. / Harry S. Truman."
Price: $950.00