Theodore Roosevelt "Aggressive fighting for the right is the greatest sport the world affords" Plaque Portrait by James Earl Fraser, 1920

Presented an original Theodore Roosevelt plaque portrait by James Earle Fraser. This work was produced by the Decorative Arts League of New York in 1920. This attractive plaque features the bust likeness of the late President Theodore Roosevelt in a profile view. Roosevelt is wearing his Rough Rider uniform, leaning forward with his pince-nez glasses on his nose. Inscribed in raised relief at the bottom is the text : "AGGRESSIVE FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT IS THE NOBLEST SPORT THE WORLD AFFORDS." The copyright in upper right corner reads "Fraser 1920."

The quotation first appeared in a New York Times article by Edward Cary on July 14, 1895, written when Roosevelt first started as the New York City Board of Police Commissioners. In “Theodore Roosevelt: A Character Study,” Cary describes Roosevelt: “In animated talk, which is to say always in talking, his white teeth gleam like the combing surf above a reef—force, determination, eagerness to grapple an antagonist, all the flashing vitality of the man seems concentrated there. But with these there is the buoyant, pervading rightness of his nature, which is sound and obvious. You have the certainty that he takes a very serious view of life, its opportunities, its obligations; but not a gloomy one; narrow, sometimes, but not selfish; pure, but not puritan, and that fighting—hard constant, aggressive fighting for the right—is the greatest sport the world affords.... A man with such qualities, and such teeth, is, in the happy speech of his beloved West, ‘safe to tie to and to bet on.’”

CONDITION:

In very good condition. Bas-relief portrait plaque, made of bronze alloy. Very minimal surface wear. Signed in upper right hand corner.

Dimensions: 13" H x 10" W x 1/2" D. 

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.