Title:
Woodrow Wilson 1911 Typed Letter Signed as Governor of New Jersey - Thank-You Letter to Andrew F. Osborne - PSA/DNA Authenticated

Description:
An attractive Typed Letter Signed (TLS) by Woodrow Wilson, dated September 20, 1911, during his tenure as Governor of New Jersey and less than a year before he secured the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

Typed on cream-colored State of New Jersey, Executive Department stationery, the letter is addressed to Mr. Andrew F. Osborne of Baraboo, Wisconsin. Wilson thanks Osborne for a letter dated September 13, describing it as "most generous" and expressing his heartfelt appreciation. Wilson concludes with "Cordially yours," followed by his prominent handwritten "Woodrow Wilson" signature in dark ink.

The letter reads in full:

"Personal.

My dear Mr. Osborne:

Your letter of September thirteenth was certainly most generous, and I thank you for it with all my heart.

Cordially yours,

Woodrow Wilson

Mr. Andrew F. Osborne,
Baraboo,
Wisconsin."

The upper portion bears the typed heading:

"STATE OF NEW JERSEY
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

September 20, 1911."

The letter exhibits expected signs of age and handling, including the original horizontal and vertical mailing folds, light toning, scattered minor discoloration, and some handling wear. The writing and signature nevertheless remain readily legible, and Wilson's autograph presents strongly against the light-colored paper.

Historical Context:
This letter dates from an especially important transitional period in Woodrow Wilson's political career. Wilson had served as president of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910 before entering electoral politics. He was elected Governor of New Jersey in 1910 and served as governor from 1911 until becoming President in 1913. 

By September 1911, when this letter was written, Wilson's reform record in New Jersey was helping transform him into a figure of national political importance. As governor, he broke with the party bosses who had supported his candidacy and pursued a Progressive reform program. His accomplishments in New Jersey contributed substantially to his rapid rise within the Democratic Party. 

The timing makes the letter particularly appealing. Written on September 20, 1911, it predates Wilson's 1912 presidential nomination and election. The following year, Wilson became the Democratic presidential nominee and defeated incumbent President William Howard Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt in the 1912 election. He subsequently served as the twenty-eighth President of the United States from 1913 to 1921. 

Although brief, the letter offers a personal glimpse of Wilson during this ascent. His statement that Osborne's letter was "certainly most generous" and that he thanked him "with all my heart" suggests that Osborne had written with particularly warm praise or encouragement. Without Osborne's September 13 letter, however, the precise subject of that correspondence cannot be established from the present document alone.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
The Woodrow Wilson signature has been examined and certified authentic by PSA Authentication Services. The accompanying PSA Letter of Authenticity, dated August 27, 2026, identifies the item as a Woodrow Wilson letter and bears Certification No. AR05706. The certificate states that the signature is authentic based upon examination and comparison with known exemplars from PSA's professional reference resources.

The accompanying PSA documentation includes an image of the authenticated Wilson signature and PSA security features. The letter itself is shown separately and is not depicted as encapsulated in a PSA slab.

• 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 piece of early twentieth-century American political history, this 1911 Woodrow Wilson TLS captures the future president at a pivotal moment between his academic career and the White House. Its desirable pre-presidential date, New Jersey Executive Department stationery, warm personal message, bold handwritten Wilson signature, and accompanying PSA authentication make it an especially attractive artifact for collectors of presidential autographs, Progressive Era material, and significant American political correspondence.

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 buyer.