Superlative oversized 5 x 8.75 cabinet photo of a jaunty Roosevelt in his Rough Riders uniform, posing against a naturalistic backdrop with his gloved hand on his hip, boldly signed and inscribed in ink, “To Earl Gulick with regards of Theodore Roosevelt, Nov. 30th, 1900.” The inscribee, Earl Gulick (circa 1888–1945), was a celebrated boy soprano who toured with William McKinley during the campaign of 1900, performed in the White House for both McKinley and Roosevelt, and sang at McKinley’s funeral. Gulick’s renown is evident from numerous mentions in the New York Times spanning from his childhood to his death at the age of 57, several copies of which are included. An article of March 5, 1900, notes that Gulick sang for McKinley in the “ladies’ parlor” of the Hotel Manhattan on the previous afternoon, on the occasion of the president’s visit to New York for a banquet of the Ohio Society. In addition to describing the program (which included such period favorites as “Nearer, My God to Thee” and “The Sweet Story of Old,” the article’s author notes that “Master Gulick has sung at the White House and is a great favorite with Mrs. McKinley, and it was said that he appeared yesterday upon her invitation.” A few years later, Gulick was feted as a hero by none other than Andrew Carnegie, as reported on January 21, 1903: “Andrew Carnegie ... was the principal speaker at the sixth anniversary celebration of the West Side Branch of the Young Men’s Christian Association.... Mr. Carnegie presented a medal from the united States Volunteer Life Saving Corps to Earl Gulick ... who, though only fourteen years old, saved the life of James Lawless, a man, when he was drowning in Rutledge Channel, Freeport, L.I. last August.... Mr. Carnegie pointed to the blushing boy on the platform and congratulated the world on the type of the modern hero as exemplified by the youthful life saver....” Readers and fans who had come to know Gulick in such glowing terms were no doubt shocked to read the following headline on May 22, 1908: “Earl Gulick Arrested: Boy Soprano Who Toured with McKinley Charged with Robbery.” The article explains: “Earl Gulick ... who was once a famous boy soprano ... was arrested yesterday charged with assault and robbery. The complainant was Alexander H. Dunlap ... who charged that Gulick had stolen $60 from him. Gulick heard that he was wanted and surrendered himself... He was taken to Police Headquarters and sent a note to his father, Dr. John Gulick, a dentist....” By the following day, Gulick was off the hook, per a story titled “‘Angel Face’ Singer Free”: “Earl Gulick ... was in the West Side Court yesterday morning, after having spent what he described as a horrible night in the Tombs.... Magistrate Cornell discharged him yesterday ... [giving him] some good advice against the allurements of Broadway, and the young man said he apprehended the advice....” Gulick’s Times obituary, published on December 8, 1945, makes note of his youthful fame and states that he later became a voice teacher and an official at the Outdoor Advertising Agency. Matted and framed to an overall size of 13.25 x 17.25. A few tiny, completely unobtrusive surface marks, otherwise fine, bright, clean, condition. One of the finest and most characteristic signed Roosevelt images we’ve ever encountered—and an association of most unusual and exceptional interest! Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA .
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