Description:

BILL TILDEN
(1893–1953) American tennis player. Tilden was the world No. 1 amateur for six consecutive years, and was ranked as the world No. 1 professional. He won 14 major singles titles, including ten Grand Slam events, one World Hard Court Championship and three professional majors. He was the first American man to win Wimbledon, taking the title in 1920. Rare, very fine content A.L.S. 'Your Bill' in dark pencil, 2pp. 4to., 'Sunday', [n.p., n.d.], to Art 'Bratto' Anderson, a young tennis player who Tilden gave lessons to from the age of eleven years, his protege and pupil who remained a lifelong friend. In part: '...The coming tournament starting next Saturday is a very good test for you Babe. It is the first time since you put your teeth really back in the game, to show just how far you have gone in the past few weeks...refuse to lose, dominate every match, get in and push your opponents around all over the court, hitting with the freedom & confidence that you seemed to have mastered in practice. You will be outstanding in your class...Let me see the winning spirit show up. If you get a lead, fight it home at once, push every chance to win so pressure never lessens on your opponent. Have complete confidence to hit hard & aggressively when the chance comes, and always when you are attacked. Prove to me that you have completely made up your mind to win. Bring out all your power and use it with confidence...Forget defeat & think & believe victory. Read this over a few times Babe, perhaps it might be worth taking along to remind you I am thinking of you, believing in you, & pulling for you in every point of every match. Win! Always with love, Your Bill...' Folds, with a sticker in blank lower margin placed there by vandals at PSA/DNA, else fine. In 1953 Anderson would make it to the Men's Tennis Championship at Forest Hills. Tilden was arrested twice for soliciting sex from minor boys, and served jail time, although Anderson always denied Tilden had ever made any advances towards him.

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June 16, 2023 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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