Description:

Theodore Roosevelt
n.p., January 30, 1909
T. Roosevelt, Gentleman-Sportsman! Signed Presentation Photo After Famous Laszlo Painting
SP

A gelatin silver print photograph of 26th U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), signed, inscribed, and dated by him outside the image on the photo mat as: "To / Huntington Wilson / with the regards of / Theodore Roosevelt / Jan 30th 1909." [Washington, D.C.] The vintage black and white glossy photograph shows a portrait painting of Roosevelt painted by Hungarian artist Philip Alexius de Laszlo during the Spring of 1908. Expected wear to the photo surface including scattered wrinkling and silvering. Affixed to a stock mount, unevenly toned and showing evidence of minor mat burn. Isolated imperfections to the top edge. Mounting traces and pencil inscriptions verso. Else near fine. The actual size of the photograph is 5.625" x 7.75" while the overall size of the mat is 8.375" x 11.5." Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA Authentication Services (Newport Beach, California), reference number 3141118; in addition to a Certificate of Authenticity from RR Auctions (Amherst, New Hampshire.)

Laszlo depicted Roosevelt in a truly irresistible combination: as a gentleman-sportsman. The combination pleased Roosevelt, who was a loudly self-proclaiming acolyte of both academia and athletics. Although Roosevelt is shown wearing studious eyeglasses, a three-piece suit, and a tie, he is also outfitted in full equestrian gear: riding boots, riding cloak, riding gloves, and riding crop.

President Roosevelt had permitted Hungarian portrait painter Philip Alexius de Laszlo (1869-1937) to paint his likeness in the Spring of 1908 at the behest of Roosevelt's dear friend Arthur Lee. Roosevelt sat for several sittings for the life size portrait, conversing with family members who dropped in to entertain him while he was posing, and listening to Laszlo's wife play the violin. Roosevelt declared Laszlo's portrait at the time to be "better than any other."

Roosevelt dedicated this inscription less than two months before his second presidential term ended on March 4, 1909. The signed photograph was presented to Huntington Wilson (1875-1946), a government functionary who had served as Third Assistant Secretary from 1906-1908. Wilson would serve as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, the department's second-highest ranking position, during the Taft Administration and into the Woodrow Wilson Administration. Wilson retired from government in 1913 to become a journalist and businessman.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: matted overall: 8.375" x 11.5"
  • Medium: SP

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

April 23, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000