Beschreibung:

Lot of 14 items from the family of Louis Wiley, business manager of the New York Times (1906 -1935). Louis Wiley was born in Homell, Steuben County, NY in 1869. The family moved shortly after to Mt. Sterling, KY, then to Ft. Wayne, IN. Even as a child, he left an impression on all with whom he came in contact as energetic, enthusiastic and always trying to do his best. He decided in childhood that he wanted to be in the newspaper business. His father died when he was 17, and the family moved to Rochester, where he began working the Union and Advertiser, and soon moved to the Post Express, while also publishing his own paper, Jewish Tidings. By the age of 26, he decided to try his luck in the "Big Apple." So, with a pile of recommendations solicited from everyone he knew, he struck out on his own, away from family and friends. He immediately went to work for the New York Sun, but found that it did not offer the opportunity he was seeking, so he looked elsewhere. In one of those fortuitous historically important events, the New York Times, which had been losing money for a long time, was taken over by Adolph S. Ochs, and he saw Wiley's energy as just what the Times needed for a revival, although he remained skeptical about Wiley's business sense. Wiley knew this was his "calling" as it were, and by 1906 he was the Times' business manager, a position he held until his sudden death in 1935. Ochs and Wiley did rescue the paper, although not always in agreement on the direction it should take. Ochs, for example, did not like ads that contained testimonials, nor did he like colored comics, both of which Wiley favored. Eventually Wiley became proficient in all aspects of the newspaper business, and in addition to being a writer occasionally, he was an excellent public speaker and would go anywhere at any time and positively represent the newspaper. With his energy and all of his connections, he was a favorite, not only of New York, but of the world. He was given awards by nearly every nation in Europe. He was also extremely organized, with file cabinets full of communication from many of these sources. After Louis Wiley's death, many of the papers that were deemed as having "sentimental significance" were returned to their writers. Likely the Times kept a number of them. Many of the remainder were donated to the University of Rochester Library, and most of this summary is from their introduction to the collection. A more extensive biography is available there. But even after a decade or more, apparently additional items were found among Wiley's possessions. This group of letters concerns the Roosevelt family. There are two letters signed by Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., one is typed on 14 Wall Street letterhead and may be secretarially signed, the other is holographic. There is a small card, approx. 1.5 x 3 in. with Mr. Theodore Roosevelt crossed out and a note to Louis: "This silly little spoon was used by the Ifugaos in their ceremonial feasts. It may amuse you. Best to all, T.R." A second card in an envelope is printed The White House, Washington. Addressed to Miss Wiley is signed "Eleanor Roosevelt." Although it is a bit crowded, being on a 2.75 x 4 in. card, it does appear to be "Mrs. FDR." Another typed letter, on Oyster Bay, New York letterhead is signed by Eleanor Roosevelt, with Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. typed below signature. Theodore "Ted" Roosevelt III (1887-1944) was known as "Jr." He spent much of his adult life in military service. IN 1910 he married Eleanor Alexander. Ted served in WWI, later as Assistant Secy. of the Navy, Governor of Puerto Rico and Governor-General of the Philippines. Especially in the 1930s he was Chairman of the Board of American Express Co., and Vice President of Doubleday Books. He returned to the Army in 1940, and was in the first invasion at Utah Beach on D-Day, which earned him a Medal of Honor. He was also promoted to Major General, but before Eisenhower could sign the recommendations, Roosevel