?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 800 - $ 1,200
GREENER INFILTRATES THE DEMOCRATS (POLITICS.) GREENER, RICHARD T. Autograph Letter Signed to a Mr. Norton. Single leaf of Ohio Republican Committee Rooms stationary, creases where folded. Ohio, 6 September 1884
a letter with exceptional content from the first african-american graduate from harvard university, and dean of howard university school of law. Richard T. Greener (1844-1922) was born in Philadelphia. When quite young his mother and he moved to Boston. With the aid of Franklin Sanborn, Greener was able to attend both Andover and Oberlin, prior to Harvard. Greener spent the early part of his life in education and as a practicing attorney, but began work actively for the Republican Party in the 1884 presidential campaign, touring and speaking. In this letter, he makes it clear that he had infiltrated the Democratic Party's meetings in Ohio, and West Virginia, reporting on their activities 'The importance of the canvass cannot be overestimated. The Democratic Meeting last night was a decided success from their point of view. I heard Bayard, Hendricks, [and] Carlisle and they all made temperate and able speeches. I have talked with many Democrats during my sojourn the state, men who did not know of course who I was, and I have learned that they are on a still hunt (slow and steady hunt) and confidently expect a victory. In my humble judgment, Blaine is here just a week too soon, although his presence will gain us many votes. Well informed Republicans tell me they expect he shall carry the state from 15,000 to 20,000. Excuse haste, regard to Mr. Weeks (?), truly yours, Richard T. Greener.'Richard T. Greener's Harvard diploma was recently discovered in the attic of a house slated for demolition. It was sold at auction for $15,000.
