James A. Garfield

Large ink signature as president, “James A. Garfield,” on an off-white 7 x 3.5 sheet clipped from a partly-printed document dated July 1, 1881. Mounted to a slightly larger backing sheet and in fine condition, with very light folds and creases.

A noteworthy signature from President James A. Garfield, who, just a day later, was shot by assassin Charles Guiteau at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station on July 2, 1881. Although Garfield survived the attack for approximately 80 days, he was gravely ill and largely bedridden throughout that period, ultimately passing away on September 19, 1881. Notably, there is no historical record of him formally signing any official government documents after the shooting, making signatures from immediately before the assassination especially rare and significant.