1881 In Memoriam, Gems of Poetry and Song on James A. Garfield. Lucretia Garfield's copy. Inscribed by editor/publisher.

A collection of eighty pieces celebrating and memorializing the life and death of President Garfield. This 1st edition copy was presented, by the editor and publisher J.C. McClenahan, to Lucretia Garfield.

The book comes with a certificate of authenticity, signed by John Reznikoff (who has certified items for Pawn Stars, among others), the founder of University Archives.

Also has a bi-fold insert of "O Loved and Lost" by Edna Dean Procter.

The book is undoubtedly inscribed by the editor/publisher, but I'm unsure why it's attributed to Lucretia. It was sold to me during a large Presidential auction and perhaps the provenance was known to the previous owner, but it was not shared with me. Regardless of my hesitance, Reznikoff certifies that this was Lucretia's copy.

About the Work -

Among others, Walt Whitman, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Julia Ward Howe, Oliver Wedell Holmes, and Bronson Alcott contributed to this work.

"The object of the compiler of the present volume was to collect into a neat form, for preservation, a choice collection of the beautiful sentiments expressed in verse on our beloved and departed President, by the poets of all nations, but more especially those of our own land." - from McClenehan's introduction (p.1).

Inscription -

Inscription on blank unpaginated front endpaper reads, "Compliments of J.C. McClenehan + Co., Dec. 5. 1881, C.O.R."

Physical Attributes -

Measures approx. 19 x 14 x 2 cm. Burgundy leather binding. Embossed in blind boards with a double frame, corner florets, and central floret motif. Spine with four raised bands with five compartments, title in gilt in one compartment, central leaf in blind in the other four. Turn-ins rolled in gilt. All edges gilt. Pages - (1), frontis, dedication poem, title page, 144, (1).

Condition -

See pictures. Shelf wear with some rubbing and edge and corner wear. Spine slightly lighter. Endpapers a little dusty. Toned throughout. Occasional fox spot and thumbing. Several ink smudges (light). Rear 10 leaves have a light crease to upper corner. Rear pastedown has a crease.