Lot 731

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

JAMES A. GARFIELD INAUGURAL ADDRESS - SIGNED THE DAY BEFORE HIS SHOOTING!
An incredible find, a unique bound copy of Garfield's inaugural address, inscribed and signed for his life-long friend Col. Almon F. Rockwell - dated only one day before Garfield would be mortally wounded in the Buffalo train station with Rockwell only a few steps away! This unbelievable volume, 'Address of James A. Garfield on the Occasion of His Inauguration as President of the United States, March 4, 1881', was privately published in Washington, D.C. in 1881. It is fully leather-bound with gilt trim and marbled end papers, and measures 8 x 11.5 in. overall. The first flyleaf bears a bold presentation inscription by the doomed president: 'Col. A. F. Rockwell With the kind regards of J. A. Garfield July 1, 1881'. Two letters in the inscription were smeared when penned by Garfield, who also corrected himself when dating the inscription, initially thinking the month was still 'June'. Edges of the covers are worn but otherwise fully intact, and one tiny corner of one of the marbled pages is lost, else very good to fine condition. On the morning of July 2, the very next day, Rockwell was in the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station when disgruntled office seeker Charles Guiteau shot the president. Rockwell was checking baggage when he heard two sharp pistol blasts, followed by Secretary of State James G. Blaine's cry of 'Rockwell! Rockwell! Where is Rockwell?' At Guiteau's murder trial, Rockwell recounted that he was at the president's side within seconds. Garfield was lying on the floor of the station, and his face was so pale that Rockwell believed his friend's death was imminent. The president, however, held on for 79 days before dying from his wounds, with Rockwell again at his side. Rockwell was also, incredibly, at the deathbed of Abraham Lincoln at Lincoln's passing in the Petersen House opposite Ford's Theater and thus became the only man to witness the death of two presidents. Sold with two associated books. These include two bound copies of the memorial address given by Senator JAMES G. BLAINE (1830-1893), each published in Washington by the Government Printing Office, 1882. 88pp. 4to., in gilt-embossed cloth boards. One copy is inscribed on the front flyleaf by Blaine, who as we mentioned was also a witness to the shooting, this again to Rockwell: 'To A. F. Rockwell With kind regards of James G. Blaine'. The second copy is uninscribed, both copies good to very good. Arguably the finest and rarest Garfield presidential signed piece obtainable, with excellent associated signed items.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

January 19, 2024 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000