Description:

James Garfield Rare Signed Presidential Appointment

A 1p partially printed document signed by 20th U.S. President James A. Garfield (1831-1881) as "James A. Garfield", 17" x 14", "City of Washington", June 13, 1881. Countersigned by James Noble Tyner as Acting Postmaster General, "Jas A Tyner". Fully intact foil seal with blue ribbons. Light soiling, some chipping to edges, flattened folds with some separation, tape repair at verso, small fold-over at top margin. Overall, in very good plus condition. 

An unusual document concerning the suspension of postmaster, John T. Gibson. Although the Senate Executive Journal notes that Garfield suspended Gibson "for cause" (March 5, 1881, page 61), it appears that the President's motive was political. Gibson, a Huntington, West Virginia newspaper editor, was a Stalwart Republican, while Garfield was a member of the "Half-Breeds" who advocated civil service reform, a move strongly resisted by the conservative stalwarts. In 1880, a group of Republicans denounced Gibson's newspaper, the Huntington Commercial, accusing him of favoring "the opposition candidates, and does not advocate those of its own party, nor even its principle..." Appointed by Ulysses S. Grant in 1875, Gibson continued his tenure throughout the administration of Rutherford B. Hayes, another advocate for civil service reform. However, it appears that the incoming Garfield Administration left him with concern for his job, especially after local Republicans denounced him. In early May 1881, Gibson called on President Garfield at the White House. The visit apparently did not impress Garfield and he suspended Gibson. Garfield replaced the disloyal Gibson with Judson Spofford, a Vermont veteran of the Civil War. Spofford held the position into the administration of Chester Arthur, who succeeded Garfield after his death in September 1881.

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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