J. A. Garfield's Personally Leather-bound Volume of the Bill H.R. 3921, Sundry Civil Bill, with Amendments Reported by James A. Garfield, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee

Sundry Civil Bill, 1873-1874, bound copy of bill H.R. 3921, with amendments, from the Committee on Appropriations, 42d Congress, 3d Session, reported [by] Mr. James A. Garfield, February 11, 1873. Half leather with four raised bands on the spine and titles stamped in gilt, marbled boards, endpapers and page block. No title page or publisher stated. Approximately 235 pps, 4to. Affixed to the first page of the bill on plain paper in unknown hand, “Hon. J. A. Garfield / Sundry Civil Bill / 1873-74." Shelf wear to leather, interior is lightly soiled and toned, else near fine condition.

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, including this one:

Garfield was a talented parliamentarian, a hard worker, and a skilled negotiator in Congress. He became Chairman of the Appropriations Committee in 1871, a position he would hold for the next four years. It is generally agreed that his work on the committee made a real contribution to improving the management of the U.S. government. When James G. Blaine advanced to the Senate in 1876, Garfield succeeded him as leader of the House Republicans. Garfield was very successful in the House, but his time there was not entirely without controversy. Garfield was one of more than thirty representatives alleged to have been sold stock by Credit Mobilier of America, a company associated with the Union Pacific Railroad, at less than its value to influence legislation affecting the railroad. Garfield claimed to have been given a loan from the company in the amount of $300 in June 1868, not stock, which he paid back in the winter of 1869. No receipt, certificate or dividend was ever uncovered, and thus Garfield was not politically ruined long term.

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.

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