Description:

Chester Arthur
Washington, DC, ca. 1881-1885
Chester Arthur Blank Presidential Appointment, With a Huge 4.5" Signature!
DS
A handsome partly-printed document signed, one page, 21" x 16", Washington, [n.d.], a blank appointment document, boldly signed at bottom right with a spectacular signature measuring a full 4.5"! Despite a prominent central fold tear and careful conservation of a tear thereat on verso, together with older cellotape repairs, this document displays one of the finest Arthur signatures we have seen.

Chester Alan Arthur (1829 - 1886) was an American lawyer and politician. In 1871, an era of political machines and patronage, Arthur was named to the powerful position of customs collector for the Port of New York. He was removed from the job in 1878 by President Rutherford Hayes in an attempt to reform the spoils system, thence becoming the Vice President to President James Garfield. Just several months after the inauguration, Arthur reluctantly became the 21st President after the assassination attempt on Garfield which ultimately resulted in his death 80 days later. He was the second vice president to become chief executive due to an assassination. As president from 1881 to 1885, Arthur advocated for civil service reform. While in office, Arthur rose above partisanship and in 1883 signed the Pendleton Act, which required government jobs to be distributed based on merit. Suffering from poor health, he did not run for reelection in 1884.

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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  • Dimensions: 21" x 16"
  • Medium: DS

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October 30, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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