Original invitation to the "Inaugural Reception & Promenade Concert" at the National Museum, in Washington, D. C., on March 4, 1881, 9.75 x 6, signed in ink, "James A. Garfield" as president and "C. A. Arthur" beneath their engraved oval portraits. Elaborately cloth-matted with an "inauguration ball" booklet, two images of the president and vice president, and a descriptive placard, and framed to 30.5 x 25.5. The calligraphic statement details the circumstances behind how each signature was obtained and reads in part: "On the verso of this Inaugural Reception invitation in pencil is the following: Autograph of the President written May 9, 1881. Obtained for T.H. Putnam by Warren S. Young, Executive Clerk at White House. Vice President's autograph procured at his residence by Charles Jones." In very good to fine condition, with scattered soiling, edge wear, a small blank portion missing at the upper edge, and Arthur's portrait slightly scuffed.
Shortly after the inaugural event, President Garfield appointed Young social clerk at the White House-a position he held for the next 36 years. During his brief association with the president, Young secured his signature while another gentleman asked Arthur to do the same. Just eight weeks after Young had the president sign this artifact, Charles Guiteau shot Garfield at a Washington railway station. Garfield had served only four months in office. Of the utmost rarity, there is no record of the existence of any other item bearing the signed images of President Garfield and Vice President Arthur! Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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