James Garfield & Chester Arthur 1880 Election Broadside

An 1880 campaign poster for James A. Garfield and his running mate, future president Chester A. Arthur. Measuring 18.75" x 24", Doylestown, Pennsylvania, ca. October 20, 1880. Headlined "GARFIELD & ARTHUR" with a large eagle and shield, the broadside advertises a Republican meeting to be held at the H.G. Kern Hotel. It states, "All persons irrespective of party, who favor a continuance of the present good times, are cordially invited to be present and hear the issues of the campaign fully and ably discussed…" Printed by the Bucks County Intelligencer Steam-Power Job Print in Doylestown. The broadside has been mounted, matted and framed to the overall size of 25.75" x 31". Uneven toning throughout with text ghosting from a prior copy being laid on top. Adhesive staining at the edges with some chipping and minor loss. Overall good.

James Garfield (1831-1881) was selected as a compromise nominee at the 1880 Republican National Convention, despite having expressed no desire to ascend to the presidency. Chester Arthur was selected as his running mate, and Garfield narrowly defeated Democratic nominee, Winfield Scott Hancock in the 1880 presidential election. However, Garfield was assassinated just six months into his presidency by Charles Guiteau (1841-1882), a disgruntled lawyer and mentally unstable man who believed that he had played a major role in getting Garfield elected and expected to be rewarded with a government position. After his applications were rejected, Guiteau turned against Garfield and transferred his allegiances to Chester A. Arthur. Garfield was shot at point-blank range while at the train station, once in the arm and once in the back. While the injury was not fatal, carelessness and incompetence by the doctors led to the wound becoming infected. His death was ensured by the constant probing of many doctors unfamiliar with basic germ theory, and Garfield died on September 19, 1881, after seven weeks of excruciating convalescence in the White House and at the New Jersey shore. Vice President Arthur was at his home in New York City when word came that Garfield had died. The stunned Arthur was inaugurated early the following day and took the presidential oath of office from John R. Brady, a New York Supreme Court judge.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!