Description: 27th President. Typed letter signed (TLS) "Wm H. Taft" AS PRESIDENT, December 19, 1910, American Red Cross stationery, 6x8, to Elbridge Gerry in Newport, Rhode Island (grandson of the former Vice President and Declaration of Independence signer), in full: As President of the American Red Cross and by authority of its Executive Committee, I hereby appoint you a member of the Rhode Island American Red Cross Endowment Fund Committee. By acting in this capacity I believe you will be rendering a public service to the country. A letter of explanation will be sent by Miss Boardman. After the 1905 American Red Cross Charter was granted by Congress, the most pressing job of the volunteer leaders of the reorganized American Red Cross was to rebuild the membership and its treasury. Mabel T. Boardmanand William H. Taft, then Secretary of War, a member of the Red Cross Board of Incorporators and a Boardman family friend, concentrated on fundraising for disaster relief abroad in an effort to develop the organization's public image. After leading the faction that forced Clara Barton to resign in 1904, Boardman was the guiding force behind the Red Cross until 1944, two years before her death at 86. She felt that men should occupy the office of Red Cross President to keep the public's confidence in the organization. Taft, while President of the United States, was titular head of Red Cross but Boardman made all the decisions. Today, continuing the precedent set by Taft, the President of the United States serves as Honorary President of the American Red Cross. The recipient of the letter, Elbridge Gerry, usually called "Commodore" Gerry due to the office he held with the New York Yacht Club from 1886 to 1892, was an American lawyer and reformer who was the grandson of U.S. Vice President Elbridge Gerry. We authored the Presidential Autographs chapter in the 7th Edition of The Sanders Autograph Price Guide. We guarantee the authenticity of this item with our written certification, without time limit. We are full-time autograph dealers specializing in Presidential, Historical and Sports collectibles. Additional information and/or images gladly sent promptly. Some images are stock photos for items we have multiples of. All buyers will receive our once-a-month specials email. Please alert us if you would prefer not to receive these specials. Please view our other auctions for additional material including historical autographs, Steiner Sports and Yankees memorabilia and Presidential signatures. Shipping on this item is $12 within the Continental USA. All international orders are sent at buyers risk and all customs forms fully declared. All items sent via USPS with their insurance as well as private insurance. We prefer payment via Paypal and ship within one business day. We can also accept VISA, Mastercard and Discover cards directly. All NY residents must pay 8.625% sales tax unless a valid NY State resale certificate is submitted. We are full-time autograph dealers. We appreciate your interest in Shafran Collectibles.
Price: 750 USD
Location: East Meadow, New York
End Time: 2025-01-16T18:19:45.000Z
Shipping Cost: 12 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
President: William H. Taft
