Sep 26, 2019 - Sale 2517

Sale 2517 - Lot 183

Price Realized: $ 281
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 400 - $ 600
(PRESIDENTS--1860.) Archive of Adam John Glossbrenner as secretary to James Buchanan. 8 items, various sizes, condition generally strong. Vp, 1860-61
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Adam John Glossbrenner (1810-1889) was a newspaper publisher and congressional Sergeant at Arms before signing on as personal secretary to President James Buchanan for the disastrous but consequential final months of his term in 1860 and 1861. Buchanan was our only bachelor president, and his niece Harriet Lane served as the First Lady; she is mentioned several times among these papers. Among the more noteworthy items in this lot are: a seating list for an event at the White House, showing the president with Madame Gerolt and "Miss Lane" with the diplomat Baron Gerolt of Prussia, undated but circa 10 January 1860 A letter from John B. Blake inquiring about weekly White House receptions: "Before sending the notice to the papers you had better consult Miss Lane upon the subject." 7 January 1861 Pencil note declining an invitation for Miss Lane to appear in a volume of "literary contributions by the representative ladies of our country." Washington, 4 February 1861 Note addressed to 'The Cabinet of United States of America' from Edward Wilson stamped 'United Destiny's Grand Vicar." Wilson (apparently a lunatic) pronounces that "United Destiny's judgement is issued, and unless payment is compromised . . . by Saturday next, a transcript of judgement will be issued to the Embassy's.' Dealing with letters like this earned Glossbrenner the big bucks. Np, 18 February 1861.
Finally, we should note one other baffling letter dated Philadelphia, 26 November 1860, and signed "James Buchanan Jr." He asks if Glossbrenner can send a copy of the Statutes at Large from the White House, congratulates him on his new post, and adds "I am starting off very well here & think I will succeed." President Buchanan was still in the White House at that point as a lame duck, and this letter does not match his hand. Complete list available upon request.