EDITH KERMIT ROOSEVELT | Edith Roosevelt writes of her husband's campaign for Vice President and of family life in the White House

EDITH KERMIT ROOSEVELT

TWO AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED ("EDITH K. ROOSEVELT"; "EDITH KERMIT ROOSEVELT"), TO, RESPECTIVELY, MRS. ADOLF MENSING AND "DEAR BETTY"

The first, 4 pages (6 7/8 x 4 3/8 in.; 138 x 103 mm) on a bifolium of blue stationery, Oyster Bay, New York, 20 August 1900, with portion of original autograph envelope. The second, 4 pages (5 /3/8 x 4 1/8 in.; 238 x 142 mm) on a bifolium of silver-embossed White House notepaper, Washington, 8 May [1902 or 1903]; mounting remnant on last page.

Edith Carow and Teddy Roosevelt were next-door neighbors and friends as children, but lost touch after he entered Harvard. They became reacquainted after Roosevelt's first wife, Alice, died, leaving him with a newborn daughter. They were married some two years later, raising the baby Alice and having five more children of their own.

In the first letter of this pair, she tells Mrs. Mensing, after some more personal news, about her husband's campaign as President William McKinley's running mate. (Roosevelt had actually been tipped for the second slot on the Republican ticket by New York State political rivals who wanted him out of the way.) "We have had such a busy summer. I staid in Philadelphia during the national convention, which was more exciting than pleasant, and in consequence of it Theodore has has but little rest or quiet this summer. On the first of September he starts on a stumping trip that will last until the middle of October, or until his throat gives out. Unfortunately he strained it while he was running for Governor, I think he spoke too often out of doors. …"

The second letter, written to a close friend, describes life after McKinley's assassination elevated he husband to the presidency. "I am so glad to have the picture of you and little Walter and I think it a lovely portrait of a mother and child. Quentin has grown so big that I am quite jealous of your little boy." The youngest of the Roosevelt's children, Quentin was born in 1897. The First Lady continues, "today I spent the whole day in the country with the three younger children [Ethel, Archibald, and Quentin] and they went in wading and were as happy as little gypsies." 

PROVENANCE:

Dr. Max Thorek, Chicago (his ink-stamp on last page of letter to Betty)