The latest lot sale held by RR Auction brings together quite the impressive collection of fine autographs and artifacts related to US Presidents and First Ladies. The auction started this January and the available items can be browsed online on the Boston based auction house website. The impressive amount of official documents and signed letters will certainly awe collectors, especially those who are passionate about American history.
One of the most
valuable items in this collection is a letter signed by James A. Garfield dated
on June 3, 1881 (one month before his assassination) which addresses the touchy
subject of patronage. The two page letter measures 4.25 X 6.75 inches and was
sent to Wharton Barker, a highly influential Philadelphia banker. As it turns
out, Barker was the first person to support Garfield when he ran for president,
as well as when he crafted the policy on international trade. The letter reads: “Since you were here, I have seen some people from
Philadelphia who say there will be a great deal dissatisfaction if more people
are brought into the Philad’a offices from other parts of the state—This, in
connection with my embarrassment in reference to the names already sent to the
Senate—leads me to think we had not better go in the direction named at least
for the present. I will delay at any rate until Windom returns."
This
document is in fine condition, apart from some old tape residue to the upper
left corner on the second page. Apart from that, the letter also has some
partial splitting to one fold. However, being such a rare item, it has been
estimated at ovet $40.000.
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