Woodrow Wilson TLS, Unable to Fast Track Customs Promotion & Edith Wilson FF.

TLS dated August 14, 1913, on Whiting's Woven Linen watermarked stock "The White House, Washington" letterhead signed by 28th U.S. President Woodrow Wilson as "Woodrow Wilson". Blue ink on cream paper. Accompanied by a full LOA from PSA/DNA. 1p, 6.875" x 8.75". With expected flattened folds from mailing, a discoloration in the left margin, paperclip ghost impression, and evidence of prior mounting on verso. 

Free Frank, 5.25" x 3.75", August 19, 1961, written from 2340 S Street N.W. in Washington D.C. to President Robert F. Cohen of the Presidents' Room in Princeton, NJ. Signed by First Lady Edith Wilson, just 4 months before her death. The signature has smudging and the envelope has minor foxing. 

President Woodrow Wilson writes a regretful note to "Mr. Paul W. Pope of the U.S. Customs Service at the Port of Philadelphia" which reads:

"My dear Pope:

I wish very much that it were possible for me at present to assist you to a promotion. I have been in conference with the Secretary several times about it, and it really cannot be done just now. I cordially wish that it might be.

In haste

Most sincerely yours,

Woodrow Wilson"

In August 1913, Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) had been President for five months. The classically educated university professor and administrator with a passion for political science entered politics in 1910. After a two-year stint as Governor of New Jersey, Wilson was elected President and would lead the country until 1921.

Wilson's correspondent Paul W. Pope was a classmate from Princeton University, where the two had graduated together in 1879. It is likely that Pope, capitalizing on his alumni connections, asked the newly inaugurated President Wilson to pull some strings for him, which Wilson was unable to do. The 1917 Directory of Living Alumni of Princeton University indicated that Pope was still languishing at his Philadelphia Customs post four years after the letter was written. 

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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