Lot 116

Teddy Roosevelt PSA Slabbed Check, From Giant Manta Ray Hunting Trip To D.C. Lobby For WWI Fighting Outfit! JSA LOA

Previous image preload Next image preload

Teddy Roosevelt PSA Slabbed Check, From Giant Manta Ray Hunting Trip To D.C. Lobby For WWI Fighting Outfit! JSA LOA

Estimate: $500 - $600

Current Bid: $400

(6 Bids)

by University Archives
July 28, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
88 Danbury Road
Suite 2A
Wilton, CT, US 06897

Theodore Roosevelt
[Punta Gorda, FL], April 2, 1917
Teddy Roosevelt PSA Slabbed Check, From Giant Manta Ray Hunting Trip To D.C. Lobby For WWI Fighting Outfit! JSA LOA
DS

A bank check signed by former 26th U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt (1822-1885), as "Theodore Roosevelt" on the signature line. April 2, 1917. [Punta Gorda, Florida.] The unnumbered check entirely engrossed in Roosevelt's hand directed cashiers at The First National Bank of Punta Gorda to pay out $60 to the "First National Bank of P.G." Blank verso. Encapsulated and PSA/DNA certified authentic. Expected wear including mostly even moderate toning, as well as flattened folds. A few pin holes at the left side, else near fine. The check measures 5.875" x 2.75". The slab measures 9.5" x 4.625" x .25". Comes with a JSA Letter of Authenticity, certification number YY03923, dated February 9, 2026.

The check was made out around the time of Roosevelt's deep-sea fishing expedition in Gulfside southern Florida in late March and early April 1917. An experienced hunter of big game on four continents, Roosevelt had set his sights on giant manta rays, or "devilfish," as they were termed by folksy locals. The ex-president joined up with Russell J. Coles, an ichthyologist from Danville, Virginia, along with Captain Jack J. McCann and the crew of the "E.C. Knight." After arriving in Punta Gorda on March 25th, Roosevelt and his crewmates traveled about 30 miles south into the Gulf of Mexico around Captiva Island. There, Roosevelt and his companions harpooned and captured a giant manta ray with a wingspan of nearly 17' which weighed hundreds of pounds.

Roosevelt did a little sight-seeing at the bird rookeries at nearby Matlacha before returning to Punta Gorda in early April. While in Florida, the former President addressed crowds of well-wishers while drumming up support for the latent American war effort. He criticized pacificists for allowing America to be "kicked [around] with impunity" and called the Germans murderers for having torpedoed the Lusitania. Roosevelt persuaded Floridians to join a just cause, explaining he was en route to Washington, D.C. to attend the special session of Congress planned for April 2, 1917. The United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917.

The Colonel had a personal stake in the war declaration; he had very publicly volunteered to personally recruit, mobilize, and deploy privately organized military units overseas in outfits much like his celebrated "Rough Riders" of the Spanish-American War. In March 1917, Congress had authorized Roosevelt to raise a maximum of four divisions for service in Europe. Roosevelt was absolutely devastated when, in mid-May 1917, President Wilson declined his offer. Roosevelt published his explosive indictment of peace-loving Democrats in "The Foes in Our Own Household," published by the Metropolitan Magazine Company after September 1917.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: slabbed: 9.5" x 4.625" x .25"
  • Medium: DS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000