United States. An Inaugural Invitation and Collection of Christmas Cards from the Eisenhowers to Colonel Parker Hitt: The Father of American Military Cryptology

The career promotion documents of Colonel Parker Hitt, signed by president Theodore Roosevelt, William McKinley, and William Howard Taft,along with an invitation to the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Vice President Richard M. Nixon, with a collection of Christmas cards from Eisenhower and his wife, Mary “Mamie” Eisenhower, to Colonel Parker Hitt and his wife, Genevieve Young Hitt, consisting of:

1. A promotional document, promoting Parker Hitt to First Lieutenant of Infantry as of March 21st, 1901. It is dated March 2nd, 1903, and is signed by 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, and Counter-Signed by War Secretary and Nobel Prize Recipient Elihu Root.

2. A promotional document, promoting Parker Hitt to First Lieutenant of Infantry as of March 21st, 1901. It is dated July 18th, 1902, and is signed by 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, and Counter-Signed by War Secretary and Nobel Prize Recipient Elihu Root.

3. A promotional document, promoting Parker Hitt to Second Lieutenant of Infantry as of September 1st, 1899. It is dated September 15th 1899, and is signed by 25th President of the United States, William McKinley, and Counter-Signed by War Secretary and Nobel Prize Recipient Elihu Root.

4. A promotional document, promoting Parker Hitt to Second Lieutenant of Infantry as of September 1st, 1899. It is dated December 26th, 1899, and is signed by 25th President of the United States, William McKinley, and Counter-Signed by War Secretary and Nobel Prize Recipient Elihu Root.

5. A promotional document, promoting Parker Hitt to Captain of Infantry as of March 11th, 1911. It is dated May 26th, 1911, and is signed by the 27th President of the United States, William Howard Taft, and Counter-Signed by War Secretary and Nobel Prize Recipient Elihu Root.

6. An official invitation from the Inaugural Committee to Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hitt, inviting them to the inauguration of Dwight David Eisenhower as President of the United States, and Richard Milhaus Nixon as Vice President of the United States, contained in an envelope addressed to Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hitt, measuring 234 mm (w) x 323 mm (l).

7. A red Christmas Card from the Eisenhowers wishing “a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”, contained in an envelope addressed to Miss Mary Lue Hitt, measuring 193 mm (w) x 158 mm (l). 

8. An invitation from The President of the United States and Mrs. Eisenhower and The Vice President of the United and Mrs. Nixon to Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hitt to the Inaugural Ball, measuring 178 mm (w) x 248 mm (l), previously folded in half. 

9. A Christmas card from “Mamie and Ike” (Mary and Dwight Eisenhower), dated 1958, the obverse depicting a corner of the Eisenhower Museum from the viewpoint of their home, the card manufactured by Hallmark, contained in an envelope addressed to Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hitt, measuring 148 mm (w) x 148 mm (l), folded in half.

10. A letter of appreciation from Richard Nixon for a memorable 14 years in the nation’s capital, featuring a facsimile of “Dick Nixon” along with a colorized family photograph, contained in an envelope addressed to Mary Lue Hitt, measuring 114 mm (w) x 152 mm (l), folded in half. 

11. A Christmas card from the Eisenhowers, the obverse depicting the lane of their property in spring, the card manufactured by Hallmark, contained in an envelope addressed to Miss Mary Lou Hitt, measuring 201 mm (w) x 140 mm (l), folded in half. 

12. A Christmas card from “Mamie and Ike” (Mary and Dwight Eisenhower), dated 1956, the obverse depicting the entrance to The Eisenhower Farms, the card manufactured by Hallmark, contained in an envelope addressed to Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hitt, measuring 149 mm (w) x 174 mm (l), folded in half. 

13. A Christmas card from “Mamie and Ike” (Mary and Dwight Eisenhower), dated 1954, the obverse depicting a christmas wreath, the card manufactured by Hallmark, contained in an envelope addressed to Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hitt, measuring 135 mm (w) x 134 mm (l), folded in half.

14. A Christmas card from “Mamie and Ike” (Mary and Dwight Eisenhower), dated 1957, the obverse depicting The Eisenhower Farms, the card manufactured by Hallmark, contained in an envelope addressed to Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hitt, measuring 174 mm (w) x 125 mm (l), folded in half.

15. A Christmas card from the Eisenhowers, the obverse depicting the mantel previously installed in the White House, the card manufactured by Hallmark, contained in an envelope addressed to Miss Mary Lou Hitt, measuring 193 mm (w) x 133 mm (l), folded in half. 

16. A Christmas card from “Mamie and Ike” (Mary and Dwight Eisenhower), dated 1955, the obverse inscribed with “Christmas Greetings with laurels bearing fruit, the card manufactured by Hallmark, contained in an envelope addressed to Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hitt, measuring 133 mm (w) x 166 mm (l), folded in half.

17. A Christmas card from “Mamie and Ike” (Mary and Dwight Eisenhower), dated 1953, the obverse inscribed with “Season’s Greetings” with laurels bearing fruit, the card manufactured by Hallmark, contained in an envelope addressed to Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hitt, measuring 160 mm (w) x 114 mm (l), folded in half.

18. A Christmas card from “Mamie and Ike” (Mary and Dwight Eisenhower), dated 1963, the obverse depicting the Eisenhower farm during summer, the card manufactured by Hallmark, contained in an envelope addressed to Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hitt, measuring 174 mm (w) x 127 mm (l), folded in half.

19. A Christmas card from the Eisenhowers, the obverse depicting Dwight and Mary in Santa suits, the inside of the card with a thumbprint and a lip print, the card manufactured by Hallmark, contained in an envelope addressed to Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hitt, measuring 152 mm (l) x 244 mm (l), folded in half. 

20. A Christmas card from the Eisenhowers, the obverse depicting a reproduction of an oil painting of Abraham Lincoln by General Eisenhower, the interior featuring a quote from Abraham Lincoln, along with Season’s Greetings from the Eisenhowers, dated 1965, the card manufactured by Hallmark, contained in an envelope addressed to Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hitt, measuring 126 mm (w) x 170 mm (l), folded in half.

21. A card from President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Gracie Coolidge inviting Colonel and Mrs Hitt to a reception at the White House, contained in an envelope addressed to Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hitt, measuring 140 mm (w) x 112 mm (l).

22. A card from President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Gracie Coolidge inviting Colonel and Mrs Hitt to a reception at the White House on February 7th, 1924, with a parking pass and entrance card, contained in an envelope, measuring 140 mm (w) x 117 mm (l). 

23. A card from President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Gracie Coolidge inviting Colonel and Mrs Hitt to a reception at the White House on February 17th, 1927, with a parking pass, contained in an envelope addressed to Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hitt, measuring 143 mm (w) x 119 mm (l). 

24. An invitation from the Secretary to Mrs. Eisenhower, Mary Jane McCaffree, inviting Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hitt to the Inaugural Parade and Oath of Office Ceremonies of Dwight Eisenhower, contained in an envelope addressed to Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hill, measuring 214 mm (w) x 278 mm (l), folded into quarters.

25. A Thanksgiving Dinner invitation to Captain Parker Hitt, containing a full list of invitees, along with a dinner menu, the obverse of the card depicting a turkey with a country-side backdrop, measuring 140 mm (w) x 178 mm (l), folded in half.

26. A letter from the office of Dwight Eisenhower stating that complimentary tickets for Colonel and Mrs. Parker Hitt have been made ready, along with a letter from Colonel Parker Hitt in reply letting Mrs. Anne Wheaten know that they are unable to attend, dated January 17th, 1958, measuring 178 mm (w) x 260 mm (l). 

Footnote: Parker Hitt (August 27th 1878 - March 2, 1971) was an American Army Officer and cryptologist. He studied civil engineering at Purdue University in Indiana, and joined the United States Army in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. He joined as Private and quickly rose to the rank of Infantry Officer, being posted to the Philippines in 1899. Knowing the United States Army field cipher was insecure, designed a more secure system as a replacement in 1914. His signal device was adopted by the Signal Corps in 1917 and remained in service for the better part of three decades. He gained a reputation as one of the Army’s most talented codebreakers, joining the American Expeditionary Force and deploying to France in 1917. He retired during the late 1930’s but was anxious to serve in the war. He returned to active duty from 1940 to 1944 as a corps area Signal Officer. At a time when the nation had no formal cryptologic service, Parker Hitt's innovative work documented concepts and principles that would be used to protect U.S. military communications for decades. His work also directly influenced William and Elizebeth Friedman, who referred to him as the "father of modern American cryptology."

Colonel Parker Hitt died on March 2, 1971 at age 93.