Fine Books & Manuscripts

Garfield, James A. James A. Garfield Autograph Letter, to Wallace J. Ford, Signed “James.” February 22, 1855. Early and rare college-age letter from Garfield, addressed to his close friend in Hiram Portage Co., Ohio, with Garfield’s address at Williams College (No. 12 South College), four pages, on a single folded sheet of stationery. Garfield reports on his recent term in school and requests books from Ford, among other matters. With the original postmarked mailing envelope; another hand adds Garfield’s name and the date of his election to Congress. Short tears along mailing folds, otherwise fine. In part: “Last week I returned from a trip of five weeks in Eastern New York—and found 20 unanswered letters for me, among which was yours of the 6th—and now having a spare moment—I will respond. I have been engaged for about the last two weeks in holding a meeting with our Bro. Myron J. Streator. We had a fine meeting and I think much good was done…This kept me out of college about three weeks and so a large amount of labor accumulated on my hands. I have been working incessantly since my return and have been nearly caught up. Our work for this term is Latin, Astronomy, Geology, and Evidence of Christianity. We are having good times except that both Charles and I are much haunted with bad colds… [reports on the weather]. I am glad you are at Hiram, and I should very much like to be there a short time myself. You are doubtless having a good meeting & I think much good may be done. I am exceedingly glad that you are willing to make some effort in reference to those books…I think that much good may be done by having those books here, for they will not only do good now, but for many years to come. They will know as well as I, what books better be here—but I will mention a few and you can make what additions you may think proper… [lists titles requested]…I earnestly hope the weather will send them and Charles and I will try to keep them moving with much love I am as ever Your Brother/James”.