Fine Books & Manuscripts

Truman, Harry S. Collection of Stereoscopes of Harry Truman at a Baseball Game. Washington, D.C., 1946. Photos by Lynn Skeels. Matthew J. Connelly’s presentation collection of late period scarce stereoscopic views of White House festivities prior to opening day baseball game, and of President Truman and his entourage at the stadium. All housed in the original custom made case, with the “Connelley” (sic) name embossed on the spine, and titled “Lowell Mason’s Annual Baseball Outing,” Vols. I and II. Included are 28 views of the pregame gathering at the Baseball Clam and Chowder Club of the U.S. Senate, of which President Truman was a member, with seven views of President Truman, images of various high level politicians of the mid 1940s, including Senators Ed Johnson, Bob LaFollette, Carl Hatch, Wallace White, Jim Mead, Scott Lucas, Arthur Vandenberg, Kenneth McKellar, Speaker of the House Joe Martin, and many others. The baseball game images, between the Washington Senators and the St. Louis Browns, consist of 29 views, of which 17 depict President Truman, including throwing the first pitch, greeting politicians and others. Matthew Connelly is seated directly behind the President. There are 20 additional views, generally of Truman staffers on the White House grounds, including Matthew J. Connelly, his wife Doris and son Robert, Rose Conway, President Truman’s Personal Secretary, Lowell Mason, FTC member and close friend of the President, as well as others, including Roberta Barrows and Reathel Odum. Total of 77 different stereo views in very good condition. Box with shelf wear but sound, with Connelly’s stereoscopic viewer.