1930 Seven Basil O'Connor Typed Letters Signed Addressed to FDR

The seven letters in this collection date from May-December of 1930. In several of the letters, Basil O'Connor makes recommendations for political appointments to his law partner and then-Governor of New York Franklin Delano Roosevelt. For example: "In connection with the county judgeship in Westchester County, you will remember that I spoke to you about Herbert McKennis, who is a Dartmouth man. He is not a candidate of mine in any sense, but he is a gentleman who merits your consideration if the matter comes before you." In one letter, O'Connor informally accepts an appointment of his own -- to the Legal Commission working on law reform at the time. He pleads with Roosevelt to ensure that there are plenty of lawyers on the Commission in addition to a "liberal number of laymen", so the situation would not be "as if some perfectly good mining men were asked to survey the surety business." In another, he passes along a letter from another man and writes that "it would be a good thing" for Roosevelt to invite Mr. Fraser to Albany "to discuss the Canadian situation." Each letter is closed with either "Sincerely yours," or "Faithfully yours," and is signed in black ink, "Doc." Each is typed on a sheet of "Roosevelt & O'Connor" letterhead and measures approximately 9" x 6 1/2". The letters are stitched together at the edges of the blank left margins to make a small booklet. Basil O'Connor (1892-1972) was Franklin Delano Roosevelt's law partner from 1924-1933. They created two foundations to fight polio together, including the March of Dimes. O'Connor was also Chairman and President of the American Red Cross in the 1940s. Condition: Several of the letters have light soil on the verso, and all but one have an indentation in the blank top margin from a paper clip (but no rust). Five were docketed in pencil, two horizontal fold lines. Generally in excellent condition. …