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Theodore Roosevelt Typed Letter Signed
- Written June 4, 1912, the letter dates to Roosevelt’s campaign for the presidential nomination
- Roosevelt names Timoleon, John Hampden, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as his personal heroes
- It is written on The Outlook letterhead, where Roosevelt was influential work as an editor
- Roosevelt promises to carry the enclosed coin as a “luck piece,” recalling his documented interest in American coinage
- Get complete item description here
$22,500
Item No.
32-2969
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Description
Theodore Roosevelt
1858–1919 | American
Signed Letter Naming His Personal Heroes
Written on The Outlook letterhead
Written during Theodore Roosevelt’s historic 1912 campaign to return to the White House, this important letter identifies the four leaders he regarded as his personal heroes: the ancient Greek statesman Timoleon, English parliamentarian John Hampden and American presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Roosevelt, one of the most consequential figures in modern American political history, describes himself with. . .
1858–1919 | American
Signed Letter Naming His Personal Heroes
Written on The Outlook letterhead
Written during Theodore Roosevelt’s historic 1912 campaign to return to the White House, this important letter identifies the four leaders he regarded as his personal heroes: the ancient Greek statesman Timoleon, English parliamentarian John Hampden and American presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Roosevelt, one of the most consequential figures in modern American political history, describes himself with. . .
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Theodore Roosevelt
1858–1919 | American
Signed Letter Naming His Personal Heroes
Written on The Outlook letterhead
Written during Theodore Roosevelt’s historic 1912 campaign to return to the White House, this important letter identifies the four leaders he regarded as his personal heroes: the ancient Greek statesman Timoleon, English parliamentarian John Hampden and American presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Roosevelt, one of the most consequential figures in modern American political history, describes himself with striking humility as a “very humble follower” of these men.
Roosevelt addressed the letter to Helen Marian Clark Wallace, who had sent him a coin as a token of good fortune. He responds warmly, promising to carry it as a “luck piece,” before redirecting the exchange toward the historical figures who shaped his conception of leadership. The coin held added significance for Roosevelt, who had taken an unusually close interest in the artistic quality of American currency while president. Inspired by ancient Greek coinage, he enlisted sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to redesign the nation’s gold coins, a collaboration that produced the famed Saint-Gaudens double eagle.
The letter is written on the stationery of The Outlook, the influential New York weekly journal Roosevelt joined as a contributing editor shortly after leaving the presidency in 1909. The position gave the former president a national platform from which to address political reform, conservation, foreign affairs and civic responsibility.
The letter's date, June 4, 1912, falls at a decisive point in Roosevelt's third and unlikely presidential campaign. Roosevelt was then challenging incumbent President William Howard Taft for the Republican nomination, only weeks before the Republican National Convention opened in Chicago. After Taft secured the nomination, Roosevelt and his supporters formed the Progressive Party, widely known as the Bull Moose Party. Roosevelt ultimately received 27.4 percent of the popular vote and 88 electoral votes, finishing ahead of Taft in both measures, although the divided electorate helped Democrat Woodrow Wilson win the presidency.
Roosevelt’s chosen heroes clarify the principles he associated with his own public service. Timoleon liberated several Sicilian cities from tyrannical rule during the fourth century B.C., while Hampden became a symbol of parliamentary resistance to the arbitrary authority of Charles I. Washington represented republican self-command and national founding; Lincoln embodied the preservation of the Union and the destruction of slavery. By placing himself within their tradition, Roosevelt connected his political ambitions to a history of resistance to tyranny, civic duty and principled national leadership.
The letter reads:
“I appreciate the coin, and shall carry it as a luck piece. But, my dear Mrs. Wallace, I want to say that the men whom I regard as my heroes are those like Timoleon and John Hampden, and of course in our country Washington and Lincoln. I am a very humble follower of these men!”
Dated June 4, 1912
Frame: 22 1/2" high x 23 3/4" wide x 2 1/2" deep (57.2 x 60.3 x 6.4 cm)
1858–1919 | American
Signed Letter Naming His Personal Heroes
Written on The Outlook letterhead
Written during Theodore Roosevelt’s historic 1912 campaign to return to the White House, this important letter identifies the four leaders he regarded as his personal heroes: the ancient Greek statesman Timoleon, English parliamentarian John Hampden and American presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Roosevelt, one of the most consequential figures in modern American political history, describes himself with striking humility as a “very humble follower” of these men.
Roosevelt addressed the letter to Helen Marian Clark Wallace, who had sent him a coin as a token of good fortune. He responds warmly, promising to carry it as a “luck piece,” before redirecting the exchange toward the historical figures who shaped his conception of leadership. The coin held added significance for Roosevelt, who had taken an unusually close interest in the artistic quality of American currency while president. Inspired by ancient Greek coinage, he enlisted sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to redesign the nation’s gold coins, a collaboration that produced the famed Saint-Gaudens double eagle.
The letter is written on the stationery of The Outlook, the influential New York weekly journal Roosevelt joined as a contributing editor shortly after leaving the presidency in 1909. The position gave the former president a national platform from which to address political reform, conservation, foreign affairs and civic responsibility.
The letter's date, June 4, 1912, falls at a decisive point in Roosevelt's third and unlikely presidential campaign. Roosevelt was then challenging incumbent President William Howard Taft for the Republican nomination, only weeks before the Republican National Convention opened in Chicago. After Taft secured the nomination, Roosevelt and his supporters formed the Progressive Party, widely known as the Bull Moose Party. Roosevelt ultimately received 27.4 percent of the popular vote and 88 electoral votes, finishing ahead of Taft in both measures, although the divided electorate helped Democrat Woodrow Wilson win the presidency.
Roosevelt’s chosen heroes clarify the principles he associated with his own public service. Timoleon liberated several Sicilian cities from tyrannical rule during the fourth century B.C., while Hampden became a symbol of parliamentary resistance to the arbitrary authority of Charles I. Washington represented republican self-command and national founding; Lincoln embodied the preservation of the Union and the destruction of slavery. By placing himself within their tradition, Roosevelt connected his political ambitions to a history of resistance to tyranny, civic duty and principled national leadership.
The letter reads:
“I appreciate the coin, and shall carry it as a luck piece. But, my dear Mrs. Wallace, I want to say that the men whom I regard as my heroes are those like Timoleon and John Hampden, and of course in our country Washington and Lincoln. I am a very humble follower of these men!”
Dated June 4, 1912
Frame: 22 1/2" high x 23 3/4" wide x 2 1/2" deep (57.2 x 60.3 x 6.4 cm)
Read Less
Specifications
| Period: | 20th Century |
| Origin: | America |
| Type: | Historical Memorabilia |
| Depth: | 2.5 in. (6.35 cm) |
| Width: | 23.75 in. (60.33 cm) |
| Height: | 22.5 in. (57.15 cm) |
| Canvas Width: | 18.000 in. (45.72 cm) |
| Canvas Height: | 17.000 in. (43.18 cm) |
Buy With Confidence
For over a century, we've placed important art, rare jewels and exceptional objects with more than 14,000 collectors worldwide, and have been recognized by trusted publications including Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.
On Approval
Examine select works in person before you commit
125% Guarantee
Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years
Trusted Expertise
Over two centuries of combined experience across our specialists
