Roosevelt Theodore
Theodore Roosevelt Fabulous Early ALS and Other Items, Ex-Forbes

THEODORE ROOSEVELT, Autograph Letter Signed, to James S. Lehmaier, January 24, 1882, Albany, New York. On “State of New York. Assembly Chamber” letterhead. 1 p., 5.625" x 9". Together with (1) Theodore Roosevelt, Printed Letter Signed in Type, November 1, 1881, seeking support for election to General Assembly, 1 p., 5" x 8.25"; (2) Flyer signed in type by eighteen prominent men endorsing Roosevelt for the General Assembly, November 1, 1881, 1 p., 8" x 10.5"; and (3) Printed Postal Card calling special meeting of the Young Men’s Republican Association of the 21st Assembly District on November 3, 1881, to ratify the nomination of Theodore Roosevelt for election to the Assembly, 1 p., 5.125" x 3". All have small holes in margins for mounting; flyer has edge loss not affecting text; generally very good.

New member of the New York Assembly Theodore Roosevelt sends his regrets to Republican supporter James S. Lehmaier for his inability to be in New York City for a meeting, perhaps of the Young Men’s Republican Association of which Lehmaier was president. Also included are several printed items related to Roosevelt’s first campaign for election to the New York General Assembly.

Roosevelt served in the New York State Assembly in 1882, 1883, and 1884. He quickly developed a reputation for exposing corruption. After winning re-election by a large margin, he allied with Democratic Governor Grover Cleveland to pass a civil service reform bill. In his final term, Roosevelt wrote more bills than any other legislator.

Complete Transcript:

Albany, Jan 24th 1882

Dear Lehmair,

I am very sorry that absence from the city prevented my being present at the meeting last Monday; I enclose a note to Mr. Montgomery whose address I do not know[.] I wish I could be present to actively support you. With best wishes

Very Truly Yours

Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) was born in New York City, graduated from Harvard University in 1880, and attended Columbia Law School. He served in the New York State Assembly from 1882 to 1884, and as president of the New York City Police Commissioners in 1895 and 1896, then as Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1897 to 1898. After service in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, he won election as Governor of New York and served from 1899 to 1900. He ran as Vice President to William McKinley in 1900, and became President in September 1901, when McKinley was assassinated. Reelected in 1904, Roosevelt was President until 1909. A prolific author and naturalist, Roosevelt was instrumental in the Progressive movement of the early twentieth century, helped preserve the nation’s natural resources, and extended American power throughout the world with a focus on a modern navy. In 1912, he again sought the Republican nomination for President, but when the convention chose incumbent William Howard Taft, Roosevelt formed the Progressive Party and outpolled Taft in the general election. The Republican division allowed Democrat Woodrow Wilson to win the presidency.

James S. Lehmaier (1859-1920) was born in New York City and became an attorney. In 1905, he received an appointment as Deputy Attorney General for the State of New York. He also served on the city staff of the New York Tribune. He was the first secretary of the New York Republican State League and later vice president of the Republican Club.

Ex-Forbes Collection. Malcolm Forbes (1919-1990), the American owner-publisher of Forbes magazine and a consummate collector, amassed one of the most substantial autograph collections of such breadth and depth that it filled a half-dozen residences on three continents. Many of his manuscripts were sold in a series of multi-million dollar sales by Christie's in the early 2000s. The Forbes name is considered to be the apex of provenance, especially when attached to an item like the above. We are honored to have been chosen by the family to sell at auction the substantial balance of the collection.

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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