POWELL KENNETH: (1885-1915) British Athlete and Tennis Player who competed in the 1908 & 1912 Summer...

POWELL KENNETH: (1885-1915) British Athlete and Tennis Player who competed in the 1908 & 1912 Summer Olympics as well as at the Wimbledon Championships. Killed in action at Ypres during the First World War. Rare A.L.S., Kenneth Powell, one page, 8vo, Reigate, 4th May 1913, to [Percy] Rootham. Powell informs his correspondent, in full, 'Please accept this (enclosure no longer present) from me as an expression of thanks for what you have done for the Surrey Clubs.' Annotated and initialled in pencil at the foot by Rootham, '(Enclosing a copy of the Redhill L.T.C. for 1913)'. Autographs of Powell are rare as a result of him being killed in action at the young age of 29. Some light overall age wear and minor traces of former mounting to the verso. Together with a multiple signed 8vo sheet of printed stationery from the Ranelagh Club, Barnes, by the original nine members of the University of Oxford crew who participated in the Boat Race of 1939, comprising Richard Burnell (Olympic Gold medallist in 1948), George Huse, J. L. Garton, A. G. Slemeck, R. R. Stewart, Frank Waldron, H. A. W. Forbes, R. M. A. Bourne (replaced by J. R. Bingham in the actual race owing to injury) and H. P. V. Massey. All have signed with their names alone in fountain pen inks. Neatly laid down to a page removed from an album. About VG, 2 £100-150 Percy Rootham (1872-1939) British Vice President of the Lawn Tennis Association 1923-39.