38. James A. Garfield.
Garfield’s personally-owned pamphlet containing his brief speech, “Remarks of Hon. Jas. A. Garfield, of Ohio, in the House of Representatives, April 14, 1866, in memory of Abraham Lincoln,” four pages, 5 x 8, printed by Hudson Taylor of Washington in 1866. The front bears his stamped ownership signature, “J. A. Garfield,” in the upper right. His speech begins: “This day, Mr. Speaker, will be sadly memorable so long as this nation shall endure, which, God grant, may be ‘till the last syllable of time,’ when the volume of human history shall be sealed up and delivered to the Omnipotent Judge.” Light soiling to the front and three horizontal folds, otherwise fine condition. Originates from Garfield’s personal library, acquired via deaccession. William Makepeace Thackeray appropriately invoked Garfield’s own words in memorializing the president following his own assassination 16 years later. RR Auction COA.…(MB $200)
After emerging victorious in the 1880 election, a scarce letter related to his short-lived vice presidency 39. Chester A. Arthur. LS signed as vice president-elect, “C. A. Arthur,” one page, 5.5 x 8.25, New York Republican State Committee letterhead, November 19, 1880. Letter to E. E. Williamson. In full: “I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th inst and to thank you for your congratulations and kind expressions regarding myself.” Affixed by the left edge to a slightly larger card. In fine to very fine condition, with intersecting folds (one vertical fold passing through first letter of the signature). The Garfield/Arthur ticket had won the 1880 presidential election exactly two weeks earlier, on November 2, in a decisive electoral college victory despite an essential tie in the popular vote. Autographic material associated with Arthur’s time as vice president is very scarce, as he ascended to the presidency within six months of the administration’s tenure due to Garfield’s assassination by Charles Guiteau. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.…(MB $200)
20 | June 18, 2014 | PRESIDENTS & FIRST LADIES
Uncommon Civil War-dated Arthur letter 40. Chester A. Arthur.
War-dated ALS signed “C. A. Arthur,” one page, 5.25 x 8.5, February 28, 1864. Letter to Silas Burt, Inspector General of the State of New York. In full: “I have carefully read the Report, every word of it, & can not change or add a word for the better—It covers the whole ground & is very clear & well stated. It could not be better than it is.” Along the bottom, Arthur adds a short postscript: “I called for you last night at 6 to go to dinner & found the office closed.” A vertical fold through a single letter of signature, old tape remnants to edges, and three small holes along left edge, otherwise fine condition. During the two years of the Civil War, Arthur served in the quartermaster’s staff in New York. As the office was a patronage position, he was removed when Democrat Horatio Seymour became governor in 1863 leaving Arthur to his private law practice. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.…(MB $200)
41. Grover Cleveland. Partly-printed DS as president, one page,
20 x 14, January 20, 1896. President Cleveland appoints Rufus E. Bean, “Postmaster at Franklin, in the County of Merrimack, State of New Hampshire.” Signed at the conclusion by Cleveland and countersigned by Postmaster General William Wilson. In very good to fine condition, with uniform toning, some scattered light foxing and soiling, and dampstaining to lower left. The gold foil seal is toned and slightly worn, and retains a portion of its original blue ribbon. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.…(MB $200)