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Lot 1017
Garfield, James A (1831-1881) 20th President of the United States, 1881. Exceedingly rare Letter Signed ("J. A. Garfield") as President, on Executive Mansion letterhead, Washington, D.C., May 10, 1881, 1p. 9 x 5 ½ in. Written two months and six days after his inauguration to Mrs. Cecilia S. Sherman, regarding the health of Mrs. Garfield, who had contracted malaria:
"Dear Mrs. Sherman: Accept my thanks for your kind note of this evening to Mrs. Garfield. She is very ill and weak, but I hope and believe the worst is over. Very truly yours, J.A. Garfield."
The President had canceled appointments to personally nurse the First Lady. By mid June, she was able to travel to the New Jersey shore to convalesce. On July 2nd, Garfield was on his way to visit his wife in Elberon, New Jersey, when he was shot by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker, in the waiting room of the Baltimore & Potomac railroad station in Washington, D.C. He died on September 19 in Elberon, having been transferred there September 6th, at his request, by a special train. He had functioned as President just under four months, second in brevity only to William Henry Harrison, who served only one month. Letters signed by Garfield as President are extremely rare. Light toning and a few ink spots. A note penciled by Mrs. Sherman on the verso of the blank integral leaf says, "Last note from Gen'l Garfield."
Together with an Autograph Letter Signed "Lucretia R. Garfield" as First Lady (Washington, D.C.), n.d. (Friday morning), 1 ½ pp., 7 x 4 ½ in. To Mrs. MacVeagh, wife of Attorney General I. Wayne MacVeagh, asking the couple to come and help her entertain company. In part: "…I will expect you and the Attorney General a little before eight o'clock. Remind Mr. MacVeagh of his promise to come empowered to demand the attendance of the President…." In a postscript, signed "L.R.G.," the First Lady suddenly remembers that renowned French actress Sarah Bernhardt is appearing in Washington: "It has just come to my mind that this is the first of the Bernhardt nights. If you have made arrangements to go to hear and see her, do not hesitate to consider yourselves exemed [sic] from this informal invitiation." Letters signed by Mrs. Garfield as First Lady are rare. With Executive Mansion envelope.
Also included is a copy of a dispatch on the President's condition, issued from the Executive Mansion, July 10, 1881, by the surgeons attending the President.
Estimated Value $17,000 - 20,000.
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| Realized $20,125 |
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