ALS as first lady signed “Lucretia R. Garfield,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.5 x 7, Executive Mansion letterhead, July 14, 1881. Letter to J. H. Rhodes, in full: “Your letter with all its precious words of reminiscence and of tender sympathy is received and treasured in my heart. As soon as our dear good General is able I will read it to him, or let him read it. Now we have to be most careful of all our words to him. His weakness is so great that did he know a tithe of all that is said and felt by his friends and by the people of this great nation, he would be entirely overcome and his life put in jeopardy. With love to you all and a heart full of thankfulness.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Garfield’s own hand. J. H. Rhodes was a Cleveland lawyer and an old roommate of Garfield at Hiram College; he would later serve as secretary of the Garfield Memorial Monument Committee. Letters of First Lady Lucretia Garfield mentioning her dying husband remain exceptionally rare.
Ex. Christie’s, December 9, 1994; sale 8088, lot 39. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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