Rare artifact group lot from the funeral services of President James A. Garfield, which includes a black-bordered funeral pass and three strips of fabric cut from an American flag, items discovered in a chest belonging to the wife of Captain Stuart Farrar Smith, son of Union General William Farrar ‘Baldy’ Smith, from whose collection these items originate. The black-bordered funeral pass for the late president, 4.5 x 2.5, issued as No. 248, reads, in full: “Obsequies of the Late President James A. Garfield in Rotunda of Capitol, Friday, Sept. 23, 1881.” The three flag fragments range in size from 8 x 3.5 to 38.5 x 3.5 and are accompanied by a period sheet annotated in pencil, which reads: "Piece of the flag covering President Garfield after death, Washington 1881." Included is the original envelope, marked “Garfield,” which contained the above items and a cabinet portrait photo of Garfield by Edward Bierstadt that is also present. In overall fine condition, with expected wear to fabric, including fraying and small holes.
