Lot 30
Roosevelt, Theodore (1858-1919) 26th President of the U.S. (1901-1909). Scarce, oversize Photograph Signed and Inscribed, "with the best wishes of Theodore Roosevelt / Sept. 9th / 1911," on the mount, 15 x 10½ in. (photo is 13¼ x 10½ in.). A distinguished, waist-up portrait by Harris & Ewing, Washington, in suit and vest and wearing a pince-nez. Some silvering around the edges; otherwise, a spectacular portrait,beautifully matted and framed to an overall size of 24 x 19½ inches.
Roosevelt served on New York's Civil Service Commission, as head of the New York City Police Board, and as Assistant Secretary of the Navy. In 1898, he formed, with Leonard Wood, the Rough Riders regiment that fought in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. In 1900, he was elected vice president under William McKinley, and upon McKinley's assassination in September 1901, became president at the age of 42. An activist and an innovative leader, he set about "trust busting" by initiating some 40 lawsuits against the big trusts. His championship of the rights of the "little man" captured the people's imagination, and he was reelected in 1904 by a landslide. He decisively increased the power of the president, particularly in foreign affairs. Although he had hand-picked William Howard Taft to succeed him, he became angry at Taft's apparent lack of progressive principles and split the Republican party in 1912 by running for president as the third-party Progressive, or Bull Moose, candidate. He outpolled Taft but lost the election.
Estimated Value $900 - 1,200.
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| Realized $4,888 |
