A Superb Grouping of Signed Cards collectively offering evidence that this is likely signed on or shortly after Garfield’s Inauguration Day. A total of 11 signed cards, all uniform. Cards included are signed by James Garfield, Chester Arthur and Members of James Garfield’s Cabinet with additional cards signed by Members of the Cabinet of Rutherford B. Hayes. At least one of the cards was signed on March 4, 1881 the day of Garfield’s Inauguration by Outgoing Postmaster General Horace Maynard with the members Hayes’ outgoing cabinet likely signing about the same time. Additionally, three of Garfield’s cabinet members have signed with the appointed positions indicating that they would had signed at that day or shortly thereafter. These cards appear uniform and as a matched set and were all contained within an album of a Philadelphia area man named John S. Berry with items dating from March to October of 1881. The preponderance of evidence would suggest the possibility that this Garfield Signature is one of the earliest of his presidency, possibly signed during inaugural festivities or shortly thereafter.
List of Signed Cards
James Garfield
Chester Arthur
Garfield Cabinet
Secretary of the Treasury – William Windom (Appointed March 8, 1881)
Attorney General – Wayne MacVeagh (Appointed March 5, 1881)
Postmaster General – Thomas L. James
Secretary of the Navy – William H. Hunt (Appointed March 7, 1881)
Hayes Cabinet
Secretary of the Treasury - John Sherman (1877–1881)
Secretary of the Interior - Carl Schurz (1877–1881)
Attorney General - Charles Devens (1877–1881)
Secretary of War - Alexander Ramsey (1879–1881)
Postmaster General - Horace Maynard (1880–1881) Card Signed "March 4, 1881"
