Just Weeks After President Garfield Died, His Grieving Widow Sends An Autograph Of The President (Not Included)

LUCRETIA GARFIELD (1832-1918). Lucretia, the wife of President James A. Garfield, was First Lady from March 4, 1881 until her husband's death on Sept. 19, 1881 at the hands of assassin Charles Guiteau. ALS. 1pg. 5 x 7. November 16, 1881. Cleveland, O. An autograph letter signed Lucretia R. Garfield on black bordered mourning stationery. Writing two months after the President died of his gunshot wounds, the First Lady wrote: Dear Sir, I have only a few autographs of this kind to distribute. It has this value that it is one of the last of General Garfields signatures having been written July 1st 1881. Very truly yours Lucretia R. Garfield. The President (truncated) was shot on July 2, so the signature Mrs. Garfield sent was one of the final ones he ever wrote. The letter has mailing folds and a mounting remnant to the last page that affects nothing. (Inventory #: 5926)