President Theodore Roosevelt Signs and Inscribes a Photograph to the Son of His Political Benefactor, Benjamin Harrison

In the 1888 election, Theodore Roosevelt campaigned extensively for Harrison, and when Harrison was elected, he sought a Federal appointment. Roosevelt already had friends in high places (like Henry Cabot Lodge) who urged the new President to make use of his talents. On May 7, 1889, TR, then out of office and with no constituency or power base, took the train from New York to Washington, and there met with President Harrison at the White House. Harrison was impressed with him, and offered to appoint him as U.S. Civil Service Commissioner. TR accepted, and in that post he undertook the task of reform with the same honesty that he showed for all of his endeavors, and the full force of his energy and aggressiveness was put to the task of building up the Federal civil service system. Roosevelt’s years on the Commission were remarkably significant ones, as there he gained valuable administrative experience, matured politically, learned how to spar with the politically powerful, and found out how to survive attacks against him and his reforms.

TR struck up a relationship during his Presidential term with Russell Benjamin Harrison, the former President’s son, who had served in the Spanish American War, a war which had made TR famous.

A full length portrait, measuring approximately 7×11 inches, no date but as President, signed and inscribed “To Major Russell B. Harrison, with Regards of Theodore Roosevelt.”  A striking photograph with a compelling connection.  Professional restoration to the bottom right corner.