Description:

Garfield, James (1831-1881) James A. Garfield's signed copy of British Archdeacon William Paley's "View of the Evidences of Christianity". Garfield had been baptized into the Disciples of Christ in 1850

The first Presidential memorial library, completed at the Lawnfield estate in Ohio by the widow of James Garfield four years after his assassination, houses almost 3,000 books that were used and treasured by the 20th president. Books were a scarce commodity to young James, who lost his father before the age of two, and was raised by his mother who struggled to maintain a humble existence. Both James Garfield and his wife Lucretia were voracious readers and amassed a large collection of books. Some twenty years ago, several dozen of his books were de-accessioned, and one of these books is described below:

Book signed "James A. Garfield" in pencil on first blank flyleaf. "Archdeacon Paley's View of the Evidences of Christianity." Philadelphia: Troutman & Hayes, 1852. 264 pages, 4" x 5.75". Worn leather covers, edges, and gilt-lettered spine; part of label on spine missing. Internally sound. Boards and spine professionally restored to very good condition.

Housed in a custom red-cloth covered clamshell case with "Paley's / View of / Christianity" stamped in gilt on a black leather label at the top of the spine and, on lower portion, also in gilt, "James Garfield's / Signed Copy / 1852."

From JamesGarfield.org: "In 1849, GarfieldÕs mother persuaded him to enter Geauga Academy in Chester, Ohio, which was about ten miles from his home. While at Chester, he met a Miss Lucretia Rudolph, his future wife. His nature, always religious, was at this period profoundly stirred in that direction. He was converted under the instructions of a Campbellite preacher, was baptized and received into that denomination. They called themselves "The Disciples" condemned all doctrines and forms and sought to direct their lives by the Scriptures, simply interpreted, as any plain man would read them. This sanction to independent thinking given by religion itself had great influence in this young man that kept his earnest nature out of the ruts of bigotry. From this moment, his zeal to get the best education heightened and he began to take wider views, to look beyond the present and into the future. In 1851, after finishing his studied in Chester, he entered the principal educational institution of the Campbellites [Disciples of Christ], Hiram Eclectic Institute (later Hiram College)."

In this book, "View of the Evidences of Christianity" (1794), British Archdeacon William Paley argued for the truth of Christianity based on his understanding of historical evidence. Paley supplemented human reason with divine revelation as supporting foundations for the existence of God and miracles.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 20% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000