President Garfield's Postal Guide, Apparently Used by Him in the White House

JAMES A. GARFIELD (November 19, 1831 – September 19, 1881) the 20^th President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1881, until his assassination that year.  Garfield had served nine terms in the House of Representatives, and had been elected to the Senate before his candidacy for the White House.  He was chosen at the 1880 Republican National Convention as a compromise candidate when candidates Ulysses S. Grant, James G. Blaine and John Sherman couldn’t get enough votes to secure the nomination.  Garfield’s accomplishments as president included a resurgence of presidential authority against senatorial courtesy in executive appointments, energizing American naval power and purging corruption in the Post Office, all during his extremely short presidency.

Pleased to offer Garfield’s 96 pp, 5 ½” x 7 ¾” 1880 U.S. Postal Guide from his library, stamped “J.A. Garfield, Dec 18, 1880” and presumably used by him as President.  

The guide is filled with early advertising and detailed information regarding postal services, including a book by the post office regarding exposing frauds.  “Postmasters cannot better serve their constituencies than by becoming agents for the book.”   Advertising also includes how postmasters can increase their postal revenue. The guide also contains a list of persons who have committed postal fraud and the organizations they were affiliated with, various responsibilities of postal positions. Post office inspectors and auditors, postal rates and classes, items that cannot be sent through the mail, a list of post offices established, discontinued and changed names are also listed. 

Expected light toning but in excellent condition and an incredible piece of Garfield and U.S. Postal Service Americana.

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