Title:
Theodore Roosevelt 1916 Typed Letter Signed Regarding a Proposed Battalion - Signed "T. Roosevelt" - PSA/DNA Certified Authentic, Cert. 85924673

Description:
An exceptional Typed Letter Signed (TLS) by Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, dated June 7, 1916, from Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York. Written during Roosevelt's post-presidential years and amid the American preparedness movement preceding United States entry into World War I, the letter concerns the possibility of organizing a military battalion.

Roosevelt addresses Robert Grimshaw, Esq., of the National Security League, Inc., 31 Pine Street, New York, an organization deeply involved in the contemporary campaign for greater American military preparedness. The one-page letter is typewritten in purple ink and concludes with Roosevelt's large handwritten "T. Roosevelt" signature in dark ink.

The letter reads in full:

"My dear Mr. Grimshaw:

Of course, its capital to think of having a battalion such as you describe; but I am not able to advise about raising it.

Sincerely yours,

T. Roosevelt

Robert Grimshaw, Esq.,
The National Security League, Inc.,
31 Pine St., New York."

The original typescript contains visible handwritten corrections in the line beginning "Of course," which appear to address the wording or punctuation of the sentence. The document exhibits expected age and handling characteristics, including toning, old folds or creases, scattered staining and surface marks, and evidence of prior mounting or adhesive residue visible from the reverse. Despite these characteristics, the typed content remains readily legible and Roosevelt's signature is bold and prominent.

The letter is preserved within a substantial PSA encapsulation holder, allowing both sides of the original document to remain visible while protecting the artifact from further handling.

Historical Context:
This letter was written at an especially important moment in Theodore Roosevelt's post-presidential career. By 1916, World War I had been raging in Europe for nearly two years, while the United States remained officially neutral. Roosevelt had become one of the country's most forceful advocates for military preparedness, arguing that the United States needed trained manpower, adequate naval strength, and the ability to respond effectively should the nation be drawn into the conflict. The Library of Congress notes that Roosevelt increasingly pressed for preparedness after the outbreak of the European war, while the Theodore Roosevelt Center documents numerous 1916 letters in which he discussed troops, military training, and even his hopes of raising a division in the event of war. 

The identity of Roosevelt's correspondent makes the letter particularly relevant to this national debate. The National Security League, founded during the early years of World War I, emerged as one of the country's leading preparedness organizations. According to the Library of Congress, the League promoted enlistment, universal military training, and expansion of the United States Army and Navy. Roosevelt was among the prominent Americans who viewed the organization's emphasis on preparedness, patriotism, civic responsibility, and national service favorably. 

Roosevelt's brief response is therefore historically revealing. Although enthusiastic about the proposed battalion, he declines to advise Grimshaw on the practical matter of raising it. This distinction is consistent with Roosevelt's correspondence from the period: he vigorously promoted the larger principle of national preparedness while sometimes declining to involve himself in particular organizational details. A December 1915 letter to Harold L. Ickes, for example, records Roosevelt's desire to concentrate on the broader cause of preparedness rather than become involved in specific administrative proposals. 

The date adds further interest. June 1916 was an active political and military moment for Roosevelt. The Library of Congress records that the Progressive Party nominated him for president that month, although he declined the nomination. Within weeks of this letter, Roosevelt was also corresponding about the possibility of raising military forces should the United States enter the European conflict. 

Less than a year later, the United States entered World War I in April 1917. Roosevelt subsequently sought permission from President Woodrow Wilson to organize a volunteer division for overseas service, a proposal Wilson rejected. Viewed against that later effort, this June 1916 letter concerning a proposed battalion provides a tangible contemporary connection to one of the defining causes of Roosevelt's final public years: American military readiness. 

Authentication & Encapsulation:
The letter has been professionally authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA, whose identification label describes the piece as "LETTER / THEODORE ROOSEVELT / PSA/DNA CERTIFIED" and assigns it Certification Number 85924673 with the designation "AUTHENTIC AUTO." The certification number is also visible on the reverse PSA label alongside its security and identification features.

The clear PSA holder provides excellent presentation while permitting examination of both the signed face and reverse of the historic document. The encapsulation is especially beneficial for a letter displaying more than a century of natural age and prior handling, protecting the original while preserving its visual character.

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer's request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional "Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate" signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
A compelling Theodore Roosevelt autograph with unusually strong historical content, this June 7, 1916 TLS directly connects the former president with the American preparedness movement on the eve of United States participation in World War I. Its reference to forming a battalion, association with the National Security League, bold "T. Roosevelt" signature, and PSA/DNA authentication combine to make it an especially evocative artifact from Roosevelt's final years of national political and military advocacy. For collectors of presidential autographs, Theodore Roosevelt material, or World War I-era Americana, the letter offers both an important signature and a document whose subject matter closely reflects Roosevelt's public convictions at a pivotal moment in American history.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the