Description:

Presidents (19th C.)
[St. Albans, VT], ca. 1850s-90s
Grant & Cleveland Signed Album, Plus Civil War Figures & Politicians- Interesting Fenian Raid Association!
Album

A historically significant 19th century autograph album containing the signatures of Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Grover Cleveland, in addition to several key figures of the Civil War. Totaling approximately 98 signatures in all, the majority signed from St. Albans, VT, ca. 1850s-1890s. Highlighted names include Union generals William Sherman, George Meade, and Irvin McDowell, social reformers Frederick Douglass and Anna E. Dickinson, as well as Fenian commanders Thomas William Sweeny and Samuel Spear. Album measures 5.25" x 7.75" overall, featuring embossed black leather boards with gold detailing at cover and spine. Exhibits moderate rubbing and corner bumping throughout. Minor tearing to lower corner of spine. Intermittent soiling to interior pages, with signatures largely unaffected. Binding has come loose in areas, but is otherwise intact.

All signatures were likely obtained by James Russell Armington (1837-1905), whose ownership signature appears on the front flyleaf. A native of St. Albans, Vermont, he was present for both the Confederate raid of 1864 and the Fenian raids into Canada in the summer of 1866. During the former engagement, Armington would be tricked into buying gold from the Confederate robbers in exchange for paper notes before fleeing over the Canadian border, where they were captured and awaited trial. Much to the Northern American's dismay, the raiders were eventually released after a ruling that argued their actions were lawful during wartime. When the Fenian Brotherhood sought to invade Canada two years later, therefore, much of the population around St. Albans sat back and watched in support.

Additional highlights include:

- "General Tom Thumb", or Charles S. Stratton (1838-1883), dwarf entertainer most associated with P. T. Barnum

- Minnie Warren (1849-1878), dwarf entertainer and sister of Mrs. Tom Thumb

- Orville E. Babcock (1835-1884), aide and later private secretary to President Grant

- John Sherman (1823-1900), brother of William T. Sherman and later Secretary of State to President McKinley

- Edwin M. Stanton (1814-1869), Secretary of War under Lincoln and Johnson

- Adam Badeau (1831-1895), aide to General Grant and later editor of his personal memoirs, published 1885-86

- Samuel P. Spear (1815-1875), Civil War officer and later Major General of the Fenian Army in St. Albans

- Morrison R. Waite (1816-1888), politician and 7th Chief Justice of the United States

The Fenian raids were a series of incursions carried out by the Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish republican organization based in the United States, on various military targets in Canada starting in 1866, and again from 1870-71. These were undertaken mainly to bring pressure on the British government to withdraw from Ireland, although the Fenians were largely unsuccessful in their efforts. While U.S. authorities arrested the men and confiscated their arms, some have speculated that the government ignored their earlier preparations due to anger over British assistance to the Confederacy.

In the summer of 1866, a number of the brotherhood, many battle-hardened by their service in the Civil War, arrived in St. Albans in preparation for their first round of invasions. General George Meade, sent to Vermont by Andrew Johnson, arrived simultaneously to seize the Fenian leaders. Commander Thomas Sweeny was arrested on the night of June 6, 1866, although his compatriot Samuel Spear remained still at large. Undeterred, Spear continued with their plan to invade Eastern Canada, but was eventually run out by a contingent of British forces and captured by Meade when crossing back over the border.

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: 5.25" x 7.75"
  • Medium: Album

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May 6, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
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