Exceptional archive consisting of: 1) Carbon DS signed in ink “Wm. H Taft,” two pages, 8 x 13, June 3, 1925. Taft’s last will and testament. The former President and Chief Justice has noted in the left margin of the second page: “& witnessed This is a copy made. June 3 1925, W.H.T.” Among Taft's bequests: $10,000 to Yale University, $5,000 to his secretary, Wendell W. Mischler, all his papers to his three children “for such use as they may deem it wise after consultation with my wife,” and “all of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate…I give, devise and bequeath to my dear wife Helen H. Taft, absolutely.” If Mrs. Taft, the executrix, would predecease him, the estate would be divided among his children. Two codicils were added in 1927. One provided a legacy of $5,000 for the foundation of the Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut; the other provided an additional $2,500 legacy for the foundation of the Taft School and $2,500 to the All Soul's Unitarian Church. On March 12, 1930, four days after Taft's death, this will and the 1927 codicils were filed in Washington for probate. The will was kept by Taft’s eldest son, Robert, in an envelope identified in Robert’s hand, “Copy of Will of William H. Taft.” Only FDR's last will and testament competes as such an instrument ever making it into public hands, selling for nearly $30,000 in 1992.
2) ALS signed “Wm. H. Taft,” one page, 5 x 8, June 8, 1925. Taft writes to his son, Robert. In full: “I am enclosing a copy of my will I executed June 3rd 1925. You would better keep this just as a memorandum. The original revoking all other wills is in my safety deposit box with my title deeds, my securities and life insurance policies at the American Security and Trust Company 15th & Pa. Ave Washington. Your loving father…"
3) A group of photographs and ephemera, including: three Taft Inaugural Ball admission tickets (one admitting “Mr. Robert A. Taft to the Pension Building” the site of the Inaugural Ball); a telegram received by Taft from Denver to his wife in New York City, written in a clerical hand: “Everything going all right. Voice fairly good condition. Love Wm H Taft”; a 1902 ADS signed “Dr. Forchheimer,” a prescription to be taken “One tablespoonful every four hours” unsigned carbon poem titled “To our Mr. Taft,” sent to the Chief Justice Taft in 1927; nine unsigned photographs, various sizes, including a family portrait with grandchildren, Taft in crowd at a Yale football game, Taft and wife, Taft and grandchild, Taft with foreign military, Taft with daughter, vintage reprint of 1878 group photo, Taft at large military ceremony in Washington, and Taft with five unidentified gentlemen outdoors. In fine condition overall. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$75.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
