ALS in pencil, signed “Bill,” three lightly-lined pages on two sheets, 5 x 8, no date but postmarked April 18, 1949. Letter from prison to Marion Anderson and his protege Arthur Bratto, in part: “It was so swell to see you both yesterday on Easter. I was tickled to death, Art, with your attitude toward your match. It is the first time that you have stood off & analyzed it without any alibi or personal feelings & I believe that it is a step forward in your tennis. Keep that detached attitude so you can see why & how you are not getting just the results you want—no matter what any of the kids…may say. You are at least learning to do your own tennis work with me in the way that spells greatness in the future and without that desire to make excuses that beats all the kids today.” Tilden adds a postscript, in full: “I hope you were pleased with my reaction to your match with Sam. Don’t let anything throw you from the line to the Championship.” In fine condition, with slight mirroring to the lead on last page, and an expected mailing fold touching the tip of a single letter of the signature. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in his own hand and signed again in the return field, “W. T. Tilden.” Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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