Lot 51
Garfield, James A. -- Autograph Letter Signed One Day Before Being Elected President (1831-1881) 20th President of the United States (March 4, 1881-Sept. 19, 1881). Autograph letter signed "J.A. Garfield" the day before his election (election day in 1880 was November 2), one page, headed Mentor, Ohio, 10¼ x 8", Nov. 1, 1880. To J.P. McCaskey, a local education in Lancaster, Penn. In part: "The General Barnum to whom you refer as having been present at the business meeting of the Army of the Cumberland at Washington was not the General Barnum of Connecticut but General Barnum of New York. Accept my thanks for the newspaper article you were kind enough to send me." With holograph envelope. Letter is in very good condition; light soiling, tape reinforcement on verso, chip at lower edge, and some contemporary ink smears. Envelope is soiled, with election-day postmark from West Mentor, Ohio.
Garfield was a major general in the Civil War, but in 1862 left the Army to take a seat in Congress, where he served nine terms. He was and is the only sitting member of the House to serve as President. On July 2, 1881, he was shot by Charles Guiteau, a disturbed, disaffected office seeker. Garfield lingered until September 19, 1881. His assassin was hanged on June 30, 1882. Estimate $400 - 600
Ex The Wolfe Family Trust Collection.
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| Realized $656 |
