James Garfield Scarce Personal Check - Engrossed in His Hand and Signed

James Garfield
Washington, DC, June 17, 1879

James Garfield Scarce Personal Check - Engrossed in His Hand and Signed
Signed check

James A. Garfield signed check, engrossed in his hand. 7.75" x 3"; Washington, D.C.; June 17, 1879. A check drawn on Riggs & Co. made out to "Clarke and Given on order" in the amount of $161.50. Signed, "J.A. Garfield". Cut cancellation at center with no loss and affecting a single word. Slight foxing at the very edges, otherwise near fine. Endorsement signature and cancellation stamp on verso.

Personal checks by Garfield are uncommon, unlike the Sergeant-at-Arms counter checks. In June 1879 (the month this check was signed), Garfield was focused on his role as a leader of the Republican Party in the U.S. House of Representatives. At this time, the Republican field for the 1880 presidential nomination was dominated by high-profile figures; most notably former President Ulysses S. Grant, Senator James G. Blaine, and Treasury Secretary John Sherman. Garfield, while a respected and influential statesman, was not seen as a leading candidate.

He viewed his political future primarily in terms of legislative service and potentially a seat in the U.S. Senate (to which he was elected in early 1880). It was only later, during the deadlocked Republican National Convention in June 1880, that he emerged as a "dark horse" compromise candidate after the major factions failed to secure a nominee.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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