December 2012 Auction Ends Tuesday, December 18th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/18/2012
Rutherford B. Hayes signed handwritten addendum to a letter to magazine editor Edward Bok. Dated simply 5 March, the single page is paginated ''3'' at top center, suggesting he had written two pages prior. It seems Hayes had accepted a speaking engagement on a volunteer basis and had sent Bok material he'd written either for publication or as content or groundwork for the speech. By this third page, however, Hayes takes it all back. The intriguing text reads in full: ''While I was writing the foregoing I saw that the debate in the Senate had taken a tone that makes my article irrelevant. I can not over come my aversion to appearing before the public as a volunteer, unless it seems likely that I can do good. As the debate now stands, if my writing would have any practical bearing, it might be unfortunate. Please excuse me, I ought to have replied to long ago to your kind note...R. B. Hayes''. Measures 5.25'' x 8.5'' Near fine.
Rutherford B. Hayes Signed Final Page of a Letter -- ''...the debate in the Senate [has] taken a tone that makes my article irrelevant...[and potentially could result in an] unfortunate [outcome]...''
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