May 04, 2017 - Sale 2446

Sale 2446 - Lot 206

Price Realized: $ 219
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 300 - $ 400
BIG BILL WRITES FROM PRISON: "ONCE I AM OUT I CAN PULL YOUR GAME WAY UP" TILDEN, WILLIAM TATEM ("BIG BILL"). Autograph Letter Signed, "Bill," to Mrs. Marion Anderson and her son, Arthur ("Dearest Marrion & Bratto"), in pencil, discussing the news of her son's recent tennis match and giving his analysis and suggestions for improvement, cursing someone whose letter to him asks about parole, thanking for sending money, anticipating their meeting on Sunday, and in a postscript, expressing gladness that a clownish driver hadn't collided with her. With the original envelope, additionally Signed, "W.T. Tilden," in pencil. [Santa Clarita], "Monday" [18 October 1949: from postmark]
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". . . I know the result of Batto's match & am naturally very sorry he lost but, as you know Marrion, not surprized. It is possible that his cold was largely to blame but I do not think so. . . . What happened was . . . . he grew over cautious & took too much of his attack away. . . . I have seen it so much. He beats all these people in practice and loses every time in match play. That can only be a psychological block . . . . To hell with doubles--He must be a singles player first of all. . . . [T]his is to Bratto--I am glad you feel the match was good . . . once I am out I can pull your game way up. Still, my analysis of the match stands. . . . You play too much in what's past. . . .
"I'll be seeing you both Sunday early & counting the days. I love you both very much . . . . Pal, keep on the same lines we are working on. Keep hitting your forehand hard & aggressively & flat. . . ."
Tilden (1893-1953) was once considered the greatest tennis player of all time. An article by Ron Borges describes him thus: "Of all his remarkable feats none can surpass this: In 1950, during an era of closed minds, the Red scare and sexual conservatism, Big Bill Tilden was overwhelmingly voted the greatest tennis player of the first half of the 20th century in an Associated Press poll only six weeks after being released from prison for the second time on a conviction of having fondled and made unwanted advances to a teenage boy."