Auction Date:2011 Jun 15 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
TLS, as president, signed “Wm. H. Taft,” one page, 7 x 9, White House letterhead, April 30, 1909. Taft writes to Charles Southgate in Boston. In full: “I am very sorry I cannot be with you to celebrate the Centennial of the Massachusetts Bible Society. My early associations in Massachusetts are connected with that Society. My aunt’s husband, Dr. Increase Niles Tarbox, was an officer in the Congregational Society, and was associated with Dr. Butler, known as ‘Bible Butler,’ who, I think, was for a long time connected with your Society. The good which it has done in spreading the reading of the Book, upon the precepts of which the progress of modern Christian civilization has been based, is hardly to be measured. I congratulate the Society upon its prosperous condition in this its centenary, and I wish for it continued usefulness. It is one of the sources of moral uplift of which there are so many in New England, which by their age and long record of successful effort are entitled to our veneration and esteem.” In very good condition, with light toning (heavier along the edges), light mirroring of text, some slight spreading of signature, and light rippling from exposure to moisture.
With its fabulous religious content, this letter offers fascinating insight into the faith of the Unitarian chief executive. The ongoing mission of the Massachusetts Bible Society has been the sale and distribution of Bibles throughout New England and, in the early days of its existence, visiting the immigrant population at the Boston docks. While Taft commends the congregation for its century of service to the faithful, his comments came in the wake of accusation that Taft was an atheist. Part of the problem stemmed from his decision to have earlier turned down the presidency of Yale University, which at the time was affiliated with the Congregationalist Church, saying, ‘I do not believe in the divinity of Christ.’ In the 1908 election he was forced to refute the rumor, and at that the start of his term in office was still performing political penance by presenting this olive branch. Unique associative content linking ‘church’ and ‘state.’
Auction Location:
5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
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