Caroline Scott Harrison Autograph Letter Signed as First Lady. Two pages, approximately 3.75"x 6", on Executive Mansion note...

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Apr 8, 2011 for:

Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

Caroline Harrison accepts a jewel to be worn for the centennial celebration of George Washington's inauguration

Caroline Scott Harrison Autograph Letter Signed as First Lady. Two pages, approximately 3.75"x 6", on Executive Mansion note paper, Washington DC, April 27, 1889. The First Lady sends a thank you letter to Herman Marcus of Jaques & Marcus Jewelers in New York City. In part: "Dear Mr. Marcus, Your beautiful gift came to hand yesterday. I cannot express to you my appreciation of the exquisite gem & my delight in being the possessor. I shall only be too happy to wear it, & in wearing it remember the worthy American citizen who presented it - one who so fully appreciates the blessing of this government. I want to thank you not only for the jewels but for the letter so full of patriotism and kind wishes. I shall preserve it with the gift for my grandchildren...."

Mrs. Harrison's letter is accompanied by the original letter from Mr. Marcus, in which he extols the virtues of being an American citizen by choice, and offers her his gift of jewelry "on the occasion of our Nation's memorable festival." Marcus' letter is dated April 29th, but is likely misdated being that the First Lady's response is dated two days prior.

The "festival" to which Marcus refers is no doubt the centennial anniversary of George Washington's inauguration as president, which was celebrated on April 30, 1889. To mark the occasion, President Benjamin Harrison followed Washington's exact itinerary from a century earlier. The festival lasted three days filled with parades and pageantry. Both letters are lightly age toned. The Marcus letter has been trimmed and pasted together; mounting traces on verso.