These showcases are also referenced in a 1917 letter by Carl Biele of Charles F. Biele and Sons to Charles L. Freer, a wealthy businessman and art collector.
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| 1917 letter from Carl Biele of Charles F. Biele and Sons to Charles L. Freer referencing showcases at Theodore Roosevelt's Sagamore Hill for his collection of Japanese objects. Letter from the Freer archives at the Smithsonian. |
The letter states - "We enclosed some photographs which we though might prove of interest of you. The small figure in armor was presented to Theodore Roosevelt by Admiral Togo. The smaller sword was presented to him by the city of Sendai; while the other two swords were presented to him by His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan, through Baron Komura at the close of the Portsmouth Peace Conference." (President Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on this conference which ended the Russo-Japanese War in 1905).
Below are the front and page of the picture of the sword showcase that were included with the letter. The other pictures were not part of the Freer archives.
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| 1917 picture from Carl Biele of Charles F. Biele and Sons to Charles L. Freer referencing showcases at Theodore Roosevelt's Sagamore Hill for his collection of Japanese objects. Letter from the Freer archives at the Smithsonian. |
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| Back side of picture of Biele showcase with the inscription "Theodore Roosevelt". |
Below is a modern picture of the North Room at Sagamore Hill with the three items referenced in the letter.
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| North room at Theodore Roosevelt's Sagamore Hill with three showcases highlighted. |
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| Close up of Biele showcase at Theodore Roosevelt's Sagamore Hill. |
According to a source at Sagamore Hill, the two showcases on either side are original while the one housing the small samurai is made of modern plexiglass. There are no records of when it was replaced.
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