LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Civil War Auction #674  / 

72346

B.K. Bruce ALS. Register of the Treasury

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:490.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 800.00 USD
B.K. Bruce ALS. Register of the Treasury
<B>B. K. BRUCE: AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - </B></I> Blanche Kelso Bruce (1841-1898) In 1850, Bruce moved to Missouri after becoming a printer's apprentice. After the Union Army rejected his application to fight in the Civil War, Bruce taught school and briefly attended Oberlin College in Ohio before working as a steamboat porter on the Mississippi River. In 1864, he moved to Hannibal, Missouri, where he established Missouri's first school for blacks. During Reconstruction, Bruce became a wealthy landowner in Mississippi and was appointed to the positions of Tallahatchie County registrar of voters and tax assessor before winning an election for sheriff in Bolivar County. He later was elected to other county positions, including tax collector and supervisor of education, while also editing a local newspaper. In February 1874, Bruce was elected by the state legislature to the Senate as a Republican. In 1880, James Z. George was elected to succeed Bruce. In 1881, Bruce was appointed by President James A. Garfield to be the register of the Treasury, making Bruce the first black whose signature was represented on U.S. currency. Bruce served as the District of Columbia recorder of deeds in 1891-93, and again register of the Treasury until his death in 1898.<BR>One page, Octavo, dated August 8, 1887. Bruce pens (in full): <I>“My dear Mr. Lorner, Accept my sincere thanks for your very kind notice of the address recently delivered by me. I recall with much pleasure the courtesies extended to me during my visit to your beautiful city, St. Paul. Very truly yours, B.K. Bruce.”</B></I> Exceptional bold signature. <BR><BR><B>Condition:</B></I> Fine-very fine <BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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