Lot 37

Historic Fountain Pen Inscribed "P.F. Garrett from T. Roosevelt"

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Historic Fountain Pen Inscribed "P.F. Garrett from T. Roosevelt"

Estimate: $15,000 - $25,000

Starting Bid: $11,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Historic Well-Documented Ornate Gold Mounted Fountain Pen Inscribed "P. F. Garrett from T. Roosevelt" and Dated "Dec. 20, 1901" with Case and Framed Portrait Signed "with the regards of Theodore Roosevelt" 125 years ago on September 14, 1901, Theodore Roosevelt became the president of the United States following the death of President William McKinley who had been shot at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, just over a week earlier. Roosevelt's "night ride to the presidency" took him 35 miles in a wagon through the Adirondacks to the North Creek Depot where he learned McKinley had died and from which he took a train to Buffalo to pay his respects to McKinley and his family and then to be sworn in as president. From the very beginning, Roosevelt shook things up in Washington, including inviting Booker T. Washington to dine with him at the White House in October. Roosevelt was well-known for his fondness for the American West and its tough characters. As president, he found positions for many of his western friends regardless of their political affiliations and sometimes violent pasts, including members of the Rough Riders and his "White House Gunfighters": Bat Masterson, Ben Daniels, and Pat Garrett. Patrick Floyd Jarvis Garrett (1850-1908) is best remembered today as the Old West lawman that ended the criminal career of the famous outlaw Billy the Kid. He had already successfully captured the Kid once, but the Kid killed two guards and escaped. On the night of July 14, 1881, there would be no escape. When Garrett's Colt barked twice in the moonlight, Billy the Kid fell mortally wounded. With Garrett's success, he was an instant celebrity, but he reportedly didn't like the attention, and he actively cultivated his attire to match the fashions of eastern gentlemen like Roosevelt rather than his western counterparts. On December 20 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt's nomination of Garrett as the collector of customs in El Paso was reported in the newspapers across the country. From the beginning, there was outcry against the nomination from Republicans in Texas who had other candidates in mind rather than a former lawman from New Mexico, but Garrett had in fact spent much of his life in Texas. Many others opposed a known gambler and drinker representing the U.S. government, but, after a tough confirmation debate, Garrett was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 2, 1902. An ornate fountain pen would be a fitting presentation piece for a new customs collector in the early 1900s given the job and the increased popularity of fountain pens in the era. Others of this same ornate design were advertised at the turn of the century. The hard rubber body and cap have pierced gold filled filigree overlay with light engraving and the inscriptions "DEC. 20/1901" on the end cap, "P. F. Garrett" towards the center, and "FROM/T. ROOSEVELT" on the band. The nib is marked "WIRT" (Paul E. Wirt). The pen comes in a period leatherette case with green interior, "Waterman's Ideal Fountain Pen./173 Broadway, New York" marked in gold letters inside the lid, and ink eyedropper. The pen, case, and dropper were featured in the sale of the Estate of Richard C. Marohn, M.D. in 1996 and was noted as the "historic fountain pen used to sign the U.S. Customs commission of Patrick F. Garrett by Theodore Roosevelt." It is also featured on page 195 of "The Peacemakers" by R. L. Wilson where it is similarly noted. This lot also includes an 8 1/4 by 10 1/8 framed portrait of Theodore Roosevelt stamped "COPYRIGHTED/1908/C.M. BELL PHOTOGRAPHIC CO./WASHINGTON, D.C." with the inscription "with the regards of Theodore Roosevelt". The inscription and signature on the photograph match other known Theodore Roosevelt signed portraits. As customs collector, Garrett quickly ran afoul of the locals in El Paso, including getting in a fist fight with appraiser George M. Gaither, one of his employees. In April 1905, Roosevelt invited Garrett to come with him to the Rough Riders reunion in San Antonio. Garrett's friend Tom Powers of the notorious Coney Island Saloon came with him and was photographed seated across from the president at the dinner. He had reportedly been introduced to Roosevelt as a cattleman. The photograph's publication revealed Powers's real background and renewed uproar against Garrett. This time, Roosevelt decided it was all too much drama. He and Roosevelt publicly claimed he had done a good job, but that he would not be reappointed due to opposition from a member of Roosevelt's cabinet rather than from the president himself. Garrett returned to ranching in New Mexico but struggled with debts and went into default. Dudley Poe Garrett, one of Garrett’s sons, had signed a five-year lease with Jesse Wayne Brazel for the Bear Canyon Ranch, but Brazel brought in goats to their horror. Cattlemen and goat and sheep herders had been at war in the West frequently. Garrett headed from Las Cruces to meet with Brazel to figure out a solution, instead he was shot twice in the back on February 29, 1908. Brazel confessed to the deed, but many doubted he was the real killer. Newspapers reported that "Patrick Garrett, Roosevelt's Friend, is Shot in a Fight in the West."

Manufacturer: None

Model: None

Class: Other

  • Provenance: The Estate of Richard C. Marohn, M.D.; A Private Collection
  • Condition: The pen is very fine with bright gold and light aged patina on the cap and body. The dropper rubber has hardened and broken. The case is fine with mild age and storage wear. The framed portrait is also fine and has a distinct image and signature, mild staining, and light storage wear.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000