Offered here is a 4x2.5 inch engraving of the White House signed by President Benjamin Harrison. The 23rd president, Harrison is the only president to be preceded and succeeded by the same man, Grover Cleveland. Harrison presided over many important acts while in office, such as the Sherman Anti-Trust Act designed to quell monopolies, and was a champion of voting rights for African-Americans. The last president to sport a full beard, Harrison served as a brigadier general in the Civil War.

     This item, an engraved picture of the White House featuring children playing in the foreground, was signed in black pen by Harrison. Harrison playfully signed his name as “Benji Harrison,” with a levity that belied his lofty political office. This engraved cut belonged to John William Daly, a monolith in the field of American theater during the 19th century. Daly was responsible for launching the careers of many famous actors and actresses, including John Drew Jr., Maurice Barrymore, and Isadora Duncan. Daly sold this item to George D. Smith, a wealthy bookseller from New York, who quickly sold it to an unknown buyer. It was then that this Harrison autograph disappeared, not reappearing until this year. This item comes with a University Archives LOA.

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