Description:

Bill Tilden
[Saugus, CA], "Sunday" [ca. August 22,1949]
Bill Tilden 2x Signed ALS To Tennis Protégé: "keep your head down + eye on the ball … Good Luck + Win"
ALS with signed envelope

A 1p autograph letter signed by tennis champion Bill Tilden (1893-1953) as "Bill" at the bottom of the page, and also signed on the accompanying original transmittal envelope as "W.T. Tilden" in the return address section. "Sunday." The envelope is postmarked August 22, 1949 from Barracks 19 in Saugus, California, where Tilden was serving a prison sentence. The letter is pencil-inscribed on a single sheet of cream-colored paper and suspended in a floating mount, as is the engrossed, stamped, and postmarked envelope. Along with a high-quality photograph of Tilden, the three items are artfully displayed in a frame behind glass. Not examined out of the frame. The letter shows expected wear including flattened transmittal folds and some negligible pencil ghost impressions. Slight discoloration to three points of the page (top corners and center of bottom edge) likely resulting from mounting. Else very good to near fine. Scattered scuffs to the frame. The sight size of the letter is 5" x 8" and the overall size of the frame is 17" x 18.875" x .875."

Bill Tilden wrote this highly motivating letter to one of his coaching pupils, Arthur "Bratto" Anderson, a junior tennis player from Hollywood, California and son of his closest friend. The letter pinpoints a potential weakness in Anderson's game, and offers very specific technical advice about how to correct it. Tilden's tennis expertise - gained through his many years of play, and demonstrated by his many championship titles - was unparalleled. Tilden softens any suspicion of criticism with plenty of fatherly encouragement.

In full, with original usage:

"Bratto Pal

I forgot to tell you that I think maybe you have gone back to your old habit of looking at the place you are playing your passing shot

Remember, Pal, keep your head down + eye on the ball when you play your passing shots + play them low - move in on them as you make them that firmly. Good Luck + Win

Love
Bill."

Bill Tilden was the first American tennis player to win Wimbledon in 1920, during the same period, 1920-1925, that he was ranked the world's best amateur tennis player. Tilden secured the World No. 1 professional ranking in the early 1930s. After his tennis-playing career, Tilden focused on coaching.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: framed: 17" x 18.875" x .875"
  • Medium: ALS with signed envelope

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February 18, 2026 10:00 AM EST
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