TLS, one page, 6.5 x 7.75, The Outlook letterhead, February 5, 1912. Letter to John C. Shaffer, with several words added in Roosevelt’s hand. In full, with Roosevelt’s additions written in brackets: “I have just received your letter. I trust I need not say to you, my dear fellow, that I know that any step you take is taken with a genuine desire to do me service. Now, I am sure you will not mind my adding that I regret very much the publication of that letter. It was written as a purely private letter, and contains varloious sentences which I should [of course] have omitted if I had expected that it would be published. In view of what you say as to Governor Osborn’s writing you, I understand how you happened to publish it; but I am chagrined that Governor Osborn should have sent it to you. I have sent copies of it to various friends who made the same request to me that Munsey did, those friends including three different editors, [I hope they will not misunderstand its publication]. I am a good deal puzzled, now, as to what to do in the matter.” Matted and framed with a portrait of Roosevelt to an overall size of 16 x 12.25. In very good condition, with scattered toning and soiling and a paperclip impression to top edge.
The start of 1912 found the topic of Theodore Roosevelt’s potential nomination for a third term as president dominating headlines. With support for Republican nominee William Taft waning, there was much talk that Roosevelt was the only person who could save the party from defeat in the upcoming election. Urged by many of his political friends, including Michigan Governor Chase Osborn, who would go on to lead his campaign in Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma, the former president was receptive to the suggestion. Though he had privately told friends that he would accept the nomination of a new Republican Progressive Party, primarily funded by newspaper publisher Frank Munsey, Roosevelt initially withheld from making an official statement. The first announcement of his acceptance appeared in the Chicago Evening Post—owned and published by John C. Shaffer—on January 30, 1912. It is highly likely that that unofficial announcement is the focus of Roosevelt’s scorn in this letter to Shaffer. A decisive letter of reproach to one of his many supporters in the publishing world, this is an excellent letter from an important point in Roosevelt’s political career. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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