361
●
ROOSEVELT, THEODORE.
Autograph Letter Signed to a girl who lost a
cousin in the war,
Betty Transeau of Columbus, OH. One page, 6
1
/
2
x 5 inches; minimal
wear, framed in corner mounts with the envelope addressed in Roosevelt’s hand, as well as
a transcript of Transeau’s charming original letter and a photograph of Roosevelt. Not
examined outside of frame.
[Columbus, OH], 30 September 1918
[1,500/2,500]
Roosevelt visited Columbus in 1918 for the dedication of the Franklin County War
Memorial, just three months after the death of his son Quentin at the front. Elizabeth “Betty”
Transeau (1908-1991) was a nine-year-old daughter of an Ohio State botany professor at the
time, and she thought to invite the ex-president to dinner: “I am so sorry about your son. I
have two ungels in the war and my cousin Dick was killed at Cateau Thierry. . . . I wish you
would come to our house dinner and we would have all the children in the neighborhood like a
big birthday party.” Roosevelt responded: “Dear little Miss Betty: That’s a dear little note of
yours. I am very sorry about your gallant cousin Dick, and I hope all your other kinsfolk who
are at the front, fighting bravely, will come home to you safely. Your friend, Theodore
Roosevelt.”
362
●
ROOSEVELT, THEODORE.
Partly-printed Check Signed,
in the amount of
$50.00 to son Archibald B. Roosevelt, drawn on the Astor Trust Company, and endorsed
by Archibald on verso. 3 x 8
1
/
2
inches; cancellation perforations not affecting signature.
New York, 9 January 1916
[400/600]
361
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