Politician (1830–1893) nicknamed the ‘Plumed Knight,’ he became secretary of state in 1889. Blaine served as a US senator, speaker of the house, secretary of state to three Presidents (Harrison, Garfield, and Arthur), and he was also the 1876 Republican nominee for president, losing the election to Rutherford B. Hayes. Signed book: Twenty Years of Congress, Volume I. First edition. Norwich, CT: The Henry Bill Publishing Company, 1884. Hardcover, 8.25 x 10.5, 646 pages. Signed on the title page in black ink. Autographic condition: very fine. Book condition: VG-/None. Brown embossed leather-covered boards with gilt titles and decoration, gilted textblock edges, and marbled endpapers. Heavy rubbing along edges and raised bands on spine; few small tears in leather; both front and rear hinges split, with covers attached by the interior cloth strip; light soiling to exterior. Binding strong and interior crisp and clean; a stunning book despite its flaws. RR Auction COA.
