1881 President Garfield Assassination Framed Historic + Robert Todd Lincoln For Sale

Up for sale is a remarkably preserved piece of 19th-century American history: an authentic edition of The Sunday Breakfast Table newspaper published in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on July 3, 1881 (Vol. 3, No. 17). This historic 1881 Americana piece captures the *immediate, raw shock of the nation* following the shooting of the 20th President of the United States, James A. Garfield, by Charles Guiteau at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. on July 2, 1881.

FRONT PAGE HEADLINES & HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS:

**President James A. Garfield Assassination Cover: Features massive, dramatic breaking-news block headlines detailing the tragedy:

“PREST GARFIELD SHOT! AND PROBABLY KILLED AT WASHINGTON," "An Illinois Man Does the Deed: He Attacks the President at the Union Railway Depot," and "Flags Already at Half Mast in New York and Elsewhere."

**Robert Todd Lincoln Portrait: Prominently displays a beautifully engraved central illustration of the Secretary of War, Robert Todd Lincoln (son of Abraham Lincoln). Coincidentally, Robert Todd Lincoln was present at the train station and witnessed the chaos surrounding the presidential shooting.

**The Star Route Scandal: Contains regular front-page coverage of the famous 1881 postal corruption trials, including defense commentary from legendary orator Colonel Robert Ingersoll regarding defendants Brady and Dorsey.

**Late-19th Century True Crime & Science: Features intriguing period columns, including a detailed report on "A Fatal Flirtation" a double shooting and suicide involving a newly arrived German immigrant on Broadway in Brooklyn, NY.

A scientific breakdown of "Cause of the Comet" by astronomer Professor Henry Draper . The article discusses astronomer Henry Draper and contemporary observations concerning a comet.

“An English Tragedy" detailing a brutal railway carriage murder in Great Britain.

The piece comes beautifully housed in a sturdy 24 inches high by 18 inches wide frame. It is entirely ready for immediate hanging, making it a perfect standout display for home libraries, offices, or historical collections.

**Other Historical Significance: Garfield survived the initial attack but suffered for more than two months before dying on September 19, 1881.

This issue was printed on July 3, 1881, it represents reporting produced while Garfield’s ultimate fate remained unknown.

The “Fourth Edition” designation is particularly interesting because it indicates this was an edition produced as newspapers continued reporting the rapidly developing story.

This is a guaranteed 100% original period newsprint artifact from July 1881, not a modern reproduction. Given its 140+ year age, it features expected, beautiful vintage characteristics including natural age-toning, light creasing from its original paper folds, minor localized tear/puncture in upper right article and minor edge chipping/localized foxing. The print, central engraving, and historic text blocks remain entirely complete and exceptionally legible. Please view all high-resolution listing photos to inspect condition details closely before purchase.

An older handwritten notation on the upper portion of the mat identifies the subject as the Garfield assassination. The rear of the frame has a brown fiberboard-style backing held in place by numerous rotating metal retaining clips. The newspaper has not been removed from the frame. Therefore, its attachment method underneath the visible mat has not been inspected. No representation is being made as to whether the newspaper is loose, hinged, taped, adhered or otherwise mounted to the interior framing materials. The frame is included with the sale.

***Despite its age, the historically important portions of the front page remain remarkably recognizable and readable. The Garfield headline, July 3, 1881 date, Fourth Edition designation, Sunday Breakfast Table masthead and Robert Todd Lincoln portrait all display particularly well.***

Publication: Sunday Breakfast Table

Publication Name: Sunday Breakfast Table

Date: July 3, 1881

Year: 1881

Volume: 3

Issue: No. 17

Edition: Fourth Edition

Original Price: Five Cents

Publication City: Williamsport

Publication State: Pennsylvania

Country/Region of Manufacture: United States

Language: English

Era: Victorian / Gilded Age

Time Period Manufactured: 1800–1899

Historical Period: Late 19th Century

Primary Subject: Shooting of President James A. Garfield

Featured President: James A. Garfield

Featured Historical Figure: Robert Todd Lincoln

Robert Todd Lincoln

Title: U.S. Secretary of War

Presidential Administration: James A. Garfield

Political Theme: U.S. Presidential History

Historical Theme: Garfield Shooting / Presidential Assassination History

Genre: News / American History / Political History

Format: Newspaper

Illustrated: Yes

Portrait: Robert Todd Lincoln

Portrait Type: Printed Newspaper Illustration/Engraving

Features: Front-Page Headline / Fourth Edition / Illustrated Portrait

Vintage: Yes

Antique: Yes

Framed: Yes

Approximate Framed Size: 24” H × 18” W

Unit of Sale: Single Issue

Number of Items: 1

Original/Reproduction: Original Period Newspaper

Shipping: Framed behind a clear plastic protective panel rather than glass, reducing the risk of breakage during shipment. The antique newspaper will remain in its existing frame for shipping and will be carefully protected with rigid padding, corner protection and appropriate cushioning.

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