The Fathers and Saviors of Our Country: A Presidential Sale

23 x 17 1/4 in. broadside printed on silk. (Separations and tears with some loss to text at folds and border, reinforced on verso with tissue, old tape residue at upper border, lightly dampstained.)

THE SPEECH WHICH RESULTED IN THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO DIE IN OFFICE.

On 4 March 1841, President William Henry Harrison stood on the East Portico of the United States Capitol, dressed in a suit but without a hat, gloves, or overcoat despite the near-freezing temperatures. He proceeded to deliver what to that point was the longest presidential inaugural address ever delivered at nearly two hours. At 68 years-old, Harrison was the oldest man elected to the presidency, yet despite this upon concluding his address he attended three inaugural balls and the next day. Over the following weeks Harrison would continue to venture out lacking appropriate clothing for the late-winter weather of Washington, D.C. On 26 March he developed a severe cold and after nine days of suffering passed away on 4 April, only one month after taking the oath of office.

This printing is an uncommon first issue, lacking the often seen second edition language found on other similar variations of these silk printings, which allude to his untimely death. 

REFERENCES:
Threads of History 150