Franklin D. Roosevelt Thanks His Secretary of War for a "Delightful Old Book of Abraham Lincoln's Debates"

In the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum is a copy of the Political Debates Between Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, in the Celebrated Campaign of 1858, in Illinois; Including the Preceding Speeches of Each, at Chicago, Springfield, Etc; Also, the Two Great Speeches of Mr. Lincoln in Ohio, in 1859, as Carefully Prepared by the Reporters of Each Party, and Published at the Times of Their Delivery, Follett, Foster and Company, Columbus, 1860. It seems possible that it is this volume that President Roosevelt thanks friend Woodring for here.  “Many thanks to you for that delightful old book of Abraham Lincoln's debates,” Roosevelt has written. “It is a joy to have.”

Roosevelt, who began collecting books as a boy, amassed a personal collection of some 15,000 volumes.

Typed Letter Signed, as President, 1 page, quarto, The White House, Washington, January 10, 1939. To Secretary of War Harry C. Woodring, With transmittal envelope.