Lot 254

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Description:

William H. Taft on "the Far Orient…as well as Chinese and Japanese questions"

A letter signed by William H. Taft (1857-1930), former 27th U.S. President and sitting 10th Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, as "Wm H Taft" on the second page. Written in Washington, D.C. on June 8, 1926 on bifold stationery with "Supreme Court of the United States / Washington, D.C." letterhead. The letter is attractively displayed to the left of a reproduction of the 1911 White House portrait of Taft by Anders Leonard Zorn, and above an engraved plaque with Taft's pertinent biographical details. With expected paper folds, isolated foxing, and a few paperclip impressions along the top. The "W" of the signature is a little light, and a few letters are slightly smeared. Else clear, bright, and near fine. Accompanied by its original transmittal envelope, tucked in a pocket on the frame back. Matted and framed behind glass. Not examined out of the frame. The sight size of the letter is 11.25" x 7.25" while the overall frame size is 29.375" x 24.375" x 1."

Chief Justice William H. Taft warmly endorses James Thomas Williams, Jr. (1881-1969), a career journalist who had served on Taft's 1908 presidential campaign staff.

Taft wrote that Williams, Jr. "has now become the Chief and Managing Editor of the Boston American. He is visiting the Far Orient, especially the Philippine Islands, with a view of getting a closer opportunity for observation of the present problem of the United States in the Philippines, as well as Chinese and Japanese questions."

Taft knew a lot about the "Far Orient" since he served as Commissioner (and eventually Civil Governor) of the Philippines between 1900-1903. Asia was experiencing many social, economic, and political changes in the late 1920s; Taft's flashpoints may have included the growth of Communism in the Philippines, and the independence movement there, which would come to fruition in 1934. Or perhaps Taft was referring to the Anti-Fengtian War, waged between Chinese and Soviet Communists on the one hand, and Imperial Japan and Chinese warlords on the other. And on the far horizon, perhaps Taft saw the growth of Japanese militarization and the specter of World War II.

Williams, Jr. had extensive newspaper experience. Over his 40-year-long career, he worked for media outlets in Columbia, South Carolina; Tucson, Arizona; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; and Washington, D.C. Taft's recommendation letter might have made its way to the managing editor's desk of Heart's National Syndicate, since Williams, Jr. worked as a contributing editor there between 1925-1937. (Additional information about James Thomas Williams, Jr. can be found in the papers of his father, James Thomas Williams (1845-1936), in the special collections of the South Caroliniana Library at the University of South Carolina.

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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November 11, 2020 10:30 AM EST
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