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Lot 110: Lucretia Garfield Signed Letter

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Lot  110: Lucretia Garfield Signed Letter
<b>Autographs</b><hr><b>An 'Unusual' First Lady Letter</b>

<b>LUCRETIA GARFIELD, First Lady; the wife of President James Garfield, her tenure in the White House was brief.</b>
Autograph Letter Signed, as First Lady-Elect, 1 page, 4.25' x 6.25', on her 'Mentor, Ohio' letterhead, November 18, 1880. To Mrs. Neal, very likely the wife of Ohio Congressman Henry S. Neal. Choice very fine. Writing two weeks after GarfieldÕs election as President - and Congressman NealÕs re-election - a jubilant Mrs. Garfield is still two feet off the ground. In full: Thanks for your kind congratulations and for rejoicing over our great Republican victory! And we return the same to you over Mr. NealÕs success. General Garfield joins me in sincere regard to you and to Mr. Neal.'

Victorian ladies, much less First Ladies, knew the drill: hat on, mouth shut, and no political opinions. Which is why this Lucretia Garfield letter, cheering a partisan victory is, for its time, unusual.