^#54 ^Lot 55 James A. Garfield

Extremely rare printed DS as president, one page, 17 x 14, May 16, 1881. President Garfield appoints Edwin F. Tomlinson “Postmaster at Plainville in the County of Hartford, State of Connecticut.” Signed at the conclusion by Garfield, and countersigned by Postmaster General Thomas James. In very good to fine condition, with central horizontal and vertical fold, mild overall toning, just a bit heavier at edges, a few trivial bends and wrinkles, a couple minor spots to borders, and a bit of slight color transfer from ribbon. The gold foil seal is intact and just slightly worn, and retains its red ribbon. Interestingly enough, when Garfield took office, the Post Office Department was the largest department in the federal government—and highly prone to corruption—an embarrassment to both the president and his Republican Party. Documents signed by Garfield while in office are extremely rare, ranking second only to William Henry Harrison in scarcity, with this piece being of a particularly nicer quality than usually encountered.