Autographs
James Garfield Signature as a Member of Congress with Handwritten "Free" Franked Envelope Signed ''J.A. Garfield"
JAMES A. GARFIELD (1831-1881). Twentieth President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1881 until his death by Assassination on September 19, 1881, having a very brief 200 days in office.
Signature by James Garfield as Member of Congress, is accomplished in brown ink written upon a 5.25" x 3.25" with Handwritten, "Free" Franking at upper left upon this Envelope Signed, ''J. A. Garfield", Very Good. This Envelope is fully addressed by Garfield's own hand to: "W. J. Ford Esq. 13 Water St. Cleveland Ohio". This Envelope is also Accompanied by a choice Very Fine quality 4" x 6" Cabinet Card Photograph of Garfield. Overall, this Envelope exhibits definite age and wear from use with some old stamp hinge and reverse edge traces of prior display. The "J" is light yet clearly readable. From our EAHA Auction of December 2014 Lot 41, where it realized $330. Now housed and protected in a custom luxe binder, covered in black cloth imprinted "Photograph and Signature of James Garfield" in gold. (2 items).
Garfield was the 20th President of the U.S. (March 4 - September 19, 1881). Teacher and later principal at Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (now Hiram College) from 1857-61. Elected Ohio state senator (1859). Served in the Union Army during the Civil War (from August, 1861 to December, 1863), rising from Lieutenant Colonel to Major General. Fought at Shiloh, Tennessee (April, 1862) and at Chickamauga, Georgia (September, 1863).
Then served as U.S. Representative from Ohio (1863-80), acting as Republican minority leader from 1876. Elected to the Senate in 1880, but declined the seat following his election as President. Assassinated on July 2, 1881 by Charles Guiteau; died on September 19, 1881. Garfield's Vice President Chester A. Arthur (who served March-September, 1881) succeeded to the Presidency.