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Teddy Roosevelt, Very Rare TLS as Police Commissioner Re: Resigning







1p TLS signed by future 26th U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) as "Theodore Roosevelt" at center right. Written in New York City on April 13, 1897. On watermarked cream stationery with "Police Department, / of the City of New York, / 300 Mulberry Street, / New York" letterhead. The signature is a little faded. Expected paper folds and light overall toning. A few closed tears have been professionally repaired verso. 8" x 10.5".







Documents signed by Roosevelt as President of the Board of Police Commissioners of New York City are very unusual. Here, Police Commissioner Roosevelt sends a hearty thank you letter to a well-wisher on the eve of his resignation.







In part:







"You are awfully good. I hate to go, but upon my word I feel as if I had done all I could accomplish here…"







Roosevelt served as President of the NYC Board of Police Commissioners between May 1895 and April 1897; indeed, his term ended just six days after writing this letter, on April 19th. Roosevelt and his fellow commissioners implemented sweeping policy and procedural reforms that modernized the metropolitan police force. During his tenure, Roosevelt prioritized officers' mental and physical fitness in determining placement instead of political or personal ties. Police officers were routinely tested and offered Meritorious Service Medals to reward good performance. Roosevelt embraced technology, installing telephones at police stations and bicycle squads to enforce traffic laws. He also introduced new standard issue firearms, as well as rules and regs. Roosevelt was hands-on; he frequently sprung surprise nighttime inspections on beat cops.







Certainly Roosevelt's administrative ability, as well as his emphasis on housecleaning and corruption-busting, would serve him well as President starting just four years later!







Roosevelt's correspondent Philip J. Mosenthal (died 1924) was a South African immigrant. He joined his father's insurance company, H. Mosenthal & Son, in 1884 and later served as its president. The firm had many professional connections with New York City architects, contractors, and inspectors, and perhaps in this way Roosevelt and Mosenthal knew each other. Mosenthal's impressive collection of Ancient, Gothic, and Renaissance Art is also well-documented.







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