T4101

Distinguished American Diplomats

Charles E. Bohlen - Special Assistant to the Secretary of State for Soviet Affairs

Collins Cover Announcement 

Distinguished American Diplomates

Charles E. Bohlen

Charles Bohlen was probably our most knowledgeable and experienced diplomat when it came to the Soviet Union, After graduating from Harvard University in 1927, he entered the Foreign Service in 1929 with Russian and Soviet Affairs as his specialty. He was assigned to the staff of the first United States Embassy to the Soviet Union in 1934. When America entered World War II, he was serving as the Soviet expert at the U.S. Embassy in Japan.

In 1943 Bohlen was Franklin D. Roosevelt's personal interpreter at the Teheran Conference where the president met with Churchill and Stalin to plan the remainder of the war against Nazi Germany. Again in 1945 he was the interpreter and adviser at the Yalta Conference. Later in the same year, he was the interpreter at the Potsdam Conference for President Truman's meeting with Churchill and Stalin.

This skilled diplomat helped to develop the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe. He went on to serve as Ambassador to the Philippines from 1957 to 1959 and to France from 1962 to 1968. Nearing the end of his career, he was called upon to advise both Presidents Kennedy and Johnson on U.S. — Soviet relations. An extraordinary statesman and acknowledged expert on the Soviet Union, Bohlen helped to shape U.S. foreign policy during World War II and the Cold War. He was our Ambassador to Moscow during the 1950s and advised every U.S. president between 1943 and 1969.

My individually hand painted cachets show the Soviet Union with the famous spires and domes. The sickle and hammer bring back Cold War memories, and a profile of dictator Joseph Stalin adds to the historical content. As with my other cachets in this series, a large portrait and American flag are important components. The set is shaping up very nicely, and I think you'll enjoy having it in your collection. I'm pleased to announce Distinguished Diplomat Charles E. Bohlen. Collins #T4101 — $13.25.