JAMES A. GARFIELD.  Rare linen handkerchief personally presented to and used at the burial of President James A. Garfield by his jeweler, F.J. Kempel, with his handwritten provenance to the bottom right corner: “F.J. Kempel, Akron, O., Sep. 26, 1881, Garfield buried, In Clev. O.”

RARE LINEN HANDKERCHIEF PERSONALLY PRESENTED TO AND USED AT THE BURIAL OF PRESIDENT A. GARFIELD BY HIS JEWELER, F.J. KEMPEL

Following Garfield’s death on September 19, 1881, 80 days after suffering two gunshot wounds, his body was taken to Washington, DC to lie in state in the White House and U.S. Capitol Rotunda before being taken to his final resting place in Cleveland, Ohio.  It is believed that funeral assistants provided these handkerchiefs at Lucretia Garfield’s, the president’s widow, request to emotional attendees.  Kempel operated jewelry stores throughout OH, including Akron and Ashtabula.

CONTAINS HANDWRITTEN PROVENANCE FROM KEMPEL TO THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER: “F.J. KEMPEL, AKRON, O., SEP. 26, 1881, GARFIELD BURIED, IN CLEV., O.”

Contains lined borders, measures 18.5 by 18.5 inches, and in very good condition with staining and creasing.