Lot 404

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Description:

Woodrow Wilson Finest of Few Known ALS as President! 

1p of a bifolium, measuring 7" x 9", Washington, D.C., dated May 19, 1913. A rare example of an autograph letter signed "Woodrow Wilson" as president. On White House stationery and addressed to author and editor James Grant Wilson. The president discusses the dedication of the Maine Monument in New York City. Reading in full:

"I wish most sincerely that it were possible for me to be present at the dedication of the Maine Monument. My thoughts will be very much with you that day, as well, I am sure, the thoughts of the whole country. All Americans must look back to the tragedy of the Maine with the profoundest sentiments of sorrow for the fine men who then so tragically and unexpectedly lost their lives, and must always feel that to have been one of the turning points of our consciousness of what was involved in the struggle for human liberty." The letter has flattened mail folds and light spots of soiling. Pencil notations present on verso. Boldly signed by Wilson. We have documented only four other autograph letters signed by Wilson as president to reach the auction rooms. Most recently was a letter at Forbes Auction in 2005, which sold for well over $20,000 and had less noteworthy content!

On the evening of February 15, 1898, the USS Maine, a U.S. naval ship, unexpectedly exploded and sank in Havana Harbor. The ship had been in Havana to protect U.S. interests during the Cuban War of Independence. Of the 355 crew members, 261 officers, sailors, and marines lost their lives. The cause of the explosion was fiercely debated, with some believing it to be an accident caused by a spontaneous combustion in the coal bunkers, while others believed it to be the result of an external attack (either by a torpedo or a mine). Although not a direct cause, the sinking of the USS Maine heightened tensions with Spain and led to a declaration of war two months later on April 21, 1898.

Days after the sinking, newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst began to raise money for a memorial in honor of the victims. The monument was designed by Harold Van Buren Magonigle and was cast on September 1, 1912. The sculpture includes the gilded bronze figure of Columbia Triumphant, with her chariot being pulled by three hippocampi. The likeness of Columbia was modeled after Audrey Munson "Miss Manhattan". The national monument was officially dedicated on May 30, 1913. President Wilson would later dedicate another memorial, the USS Maine Mast Memorial in 1915.

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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May 26, 2021 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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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