Description
Signature of President James A. Garfield on June 23, 1881, nine days before he was shot, while in Long Branch, New Jersey with his ailing wife.
Single leaf, previously folded, measures 7″ x 4.5″. Previously mounted, with small remnant of mounting tape on verso. On the personal stationery of First Lady Lucretia Garfield, with her “LGR” initials in silver gilt. Housed in blue cloth folio, title stamped in gilt on the front cover. Engraved portrait opposite the signed leaf.
Signature leaf reads: “Long Branch / June 23, 1881 / James A. Garfield.”
On June 18, 1881, President Garfield traveled to Long Branch, N.J. to join his wife, who was recovering from miliaria at the Elberon Hotel. Former President Ulysses S. Grant was also in Elberon during Garfield’s stay, but the two had never met. Two days after this signature by Garfield, he met with General Grant for the first and only time, on June 25th, 1881.
According to Garfield’s journal: “At 5:30 P.M. I held a reception in the parlor of the Elberon, seeing the cottagers near here. A very pleasant company. Gen. Grant came in and remained two [or] three minutes–a tardy recognition of the respect due to the office he once held. He has been here four or five days.” President Garfield returned to Washington on June 27th, and was shot five days later, by a “dull young man,” Garfield’s description of Charles Guiteau from his personal diary. Eighty days later, President Garfield died on September 19, 1881, at a nearby cottage in Long Branch, N.J. The funeral train back to Washington was received by Garfield’s cabinet, along with Presidents Grant and Arthur.
