Description:

Tilden William 1893 - 1953 Bill Tilden ALS signed twice, offers Tennis tips



Two page ALS scripted recto and verso in graphite on ruled paper, 5" x 8". Signed by Bill Tilden as "Bill", and accompanied by his handwritten and signed envelope, with his address of Saugus, "Barracks 19/Route 3 Box 999/Saugus Ca.", signed by him as "W.T. Tilden", postmarked Dec 7 1949. Both in near fine condition.


A warm letter from then 56-year-old Tilden, the greatest tennis player of the first half of the twentieth century, who at the time was recently incarcerated for a second offense on charges of stemming from his homosexual encounters with young boys. Tilden writes from prison to his closest friends Marrian and her son Arthur Anderson, he affectionately calls Bratto, who was a young tennis player whom Tilden had adopted as his protͩgͩ and pupil. Tilden actually lived with the Andersons twice for an extended period and was the only close family he ever had. The Andersons never deserted Tilden, even in this, his darkest hour.

This letter was written just about a week before his release from Prison, According to Deford, Tilden was released on December 18, 1949, just a few days before the Associated Press poll of the half-century voted Bill Tilden "the greatest athlete in his sport by a margin larger than any other _„î Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Bobby Jones, Red Grange. Of them all, Tilden was voted the most dominant ...". He consorted with movie stars and kings. Unfortunately, Tilden's well-chronicled and shameful off-the-court troubles toward the end of his life tarnished his legacy, and he died destitute and devoid of the fame and fortune tennis brought him. While Tilden's off-court actions are unforgiveable, his on-court prowess must not be forgotten. Tilden's legacy is the basis for today's champions.

The letter written from prison offers insight to his mental state in addition to offering Tennis tips and strategy to his dear friend. Shown in part below:

"Dearest Marrion + Bratto Tuesday"

" ... I am getting shorter + shorter and more eager to get out naturally but am trying to keep it cool and calm ... I will try to keep my exercise up so I'll be in pretty good shape when I get out. ... I hope Bratto will work a bit on defense this week. Play a couple of times with steadiness + accuracy rather than speed ... Don't get back into the habit of resting on your (illegible) tail + physical heels. Keep always aggressive mentally even when defensive in play ... "

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