MRS. SHERMAN'S PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED WARMLY BY BLAINE.

James G. Blaine. Twenty Years of Congress: From Lincoln to Garfield. Norwich, Connecticut: The Henry Bill Publishing Company,1884. 2 volumes. 8vo. Embossed maroon morocco. With "W.T. Sherman" and "P. Tecumseh Sherman" bookplates to interior front board. INSCRIBED AFFECTIONATELY BY BLAINE, in Vol. I: "To/ Mrs. William T. Sherman with the affectionate regard of her cousin James G. Blaine 23 April /86"; Vol. II: "To/ Mrs. Ellen Ewing Sherman from her cousin James G. Blaine In memory of the Gillespie Blood! 23 April /86".

Also with: invitation postcard to New York Genealogical and Biographical Society event addressed to the General.

A warmly inscribed copy of James G. Blaine's memoirs to his relative, Eleanor Boyle Ewing Sherman, wife of General William Tecumseh Sherman. James G. Blaine (1830-1893) was one of the most prominent Republican politicians in the post-war period of the late 19th century. Representing Maine, he held office in the House of Representatives from 1863 to 1876, serving as Speaker of the House from 1869 to 1875, and was a United States Senator from 1876 to 1881. In 1884, he received the Republican nomination as candidate for President of the United States, but narrowly lost in the general election to Democrat Grover Cleveland.

Here, he affectionately writes to his cousin, Eleanor Ewing Sherman. Ellen was related to Blaine through his mother Maria Louise Gillespie Blaine. A detailed family tree with further details of their families' connections is included in the article "James Gillespie Blaine, His Family, and 'Romanism'" by Thomas E. Blantz (The Catholic Historical Review, Vol. 94, No. 4 (Oct. 2008), pp. 695-716). In volume II he exuberantly inscribes: "In memory of the Gillespie Blood!" further emphasizing their affectionate familial ties.

Condition: Spines lacking, some red rot.

PROVENANCE:

The Sherman-Fitch Library

Primarily assembled by General William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891), the collection of books was inherited and curated by his son, Philemon Tecumseh Sherman (1867-1941). Before his death, Philemon transferred the library to his niece, Eleanor Sherman Fitch (1876-1959). Eleanor was the granddaughter of General Sherman through his eldest daughter, Maria "Minnie" Ewing Sherman Fitch (1851-1913). Until now, the Sherman-Fitch library was held at the family estate in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

The library includes a range of diverse material owned by General Sherman that principally relates to the Civil War, American history, and the Sherman family. Many works in the Sherman-Fitch library are historically significant, including General Sherman's annotated copy of Ulysses S. Grant's memoirs, the Sherman family bible, and Barnard's "Photographic Views of Sherman's Campaign."

Most examples in the collection are affixed with bookplates that bear both General Sherman's and Philemon's names. In some cases, where General Sherman's ownership was clear, his bookplate was not always affixed. However, books with just Philemon's bookplate were generally acquired after his father's death in 1891. General Sherman’s bookplates were likely added by Philemon after his father’s death. Philemon’s bookplates were placed by Tecumseh Sherman Fitch (1908-1969) after he inherited the library in 1942.

[Books, Reconstruction, Politics, Civil War, Union, Confederate, Ephemera]