Compiled by Charles Rowley Cushman | U.S. Government Printing Office | Restored Copy
Step into the solemn halls of early American democracy with this extraordinary 1903 volume: Memorial Addresses Delivered Before the Two Houses of Congress on the Life and Character of Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, and William McKinley. This profound work, commissioned by act of Congress, immortalizes the nation’s grief and reverence for three assassinated Presidents—each a symbol of leadership, sacrifice, and shifting American ideals across the 19th century.
Issued by the Government Printing Office in 1903 under the direction of Charles Rowley Cushman, Clerk of the Committee on Printing, this book is not merely a bound document—it's a national relic. It was conceived as a historical record and tribute to three fallen Presidents, each murdered while in office:
Abraham Lincoln, the Great Emancipator, whose death marked the tragic end of the Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction.
James A. Garfield, a Union general and advocate for civil service reform, whose presidency was cut short by assassination in 1881.
William McKinley, the steady hand during America’s entry into the 20th century, felled by an assassin’s bullet in 1901.
The book features verbatim memorial speeches delivered by members of both the House and Senate, providing invaluable insight into how these leaders were remembered by their contemporaries. Each address is a window into America’s political and cultural heart, reflecting not just mourning but evolving national identity.
Why this book matters:
It is one of the only federally authorized volumes commemorating three U.S. presidents within a single historic tribute.
The content spans nearly 40 years of American history, capturing perspectives across the Civil War, Reconstruction, Gilded Age, and turn-of-the-century progressivism.
Charles R. Cushman ensured its careful compilation and publication—his role was pivotal in preserving the integrity and dignity of congressional documentation.
Produced by the U.S. Government Printing Office, this volume reflects the high typographic standards and durable printing techniques of official federal recordkeeping.
Physical Characteristics:
Original black leather boards with elegant blind embossing and gold gilt titling
Subtle art nouveau-style borderwork on cover design
Frontispiece engraving of Abraham Lincoln in presidential dress
Heavy rag paper with crisp typography
Restoration: This copy has seen time, as any well-lived artifact should. There is edge wear, corner rounding, and surface scuffing, but it has been professionally restored for structural integrity, preserving its authenticity while ensuring continued readability and display value.
Why Collectors Seek It:
Rare presidential tri-memorial format—few volumes exist that honor Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley together
Official U.S. government publication—not a reprint or commercial republication
Highly desirable for collectors of Civil War, Gilded Age, and presidential assassination memorabilia
A perfect centerpiece for a historical library, Americana shelf, or patriotic collection
Specifications:
Title: Memorial Addresses Delivered Before the Two Houses of Congress on the Life and Character of Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, and William McKinley
Compiler: Charles Rowley Cushman
Published: 1903, Government Printing Office, Washington D.C.
Binding: Leatherbound hardcover
Pages: Approx. 200+
Condition: Fair to good, with wear appropriate to age and recent structural restoration
This is not just a book—it is a testimony. A piece of national mourning. A carefully preserved tribute to three of America’s most profoundly remembered presidents. Once shelved in the very halls of Congress, it now stands ready to become a cornerstone of your collection.
Compiled by Charles Rowley Cushman | U.S. Government Printing Office | Restored Copy
Step into the solemn halls of early American democracy with this extraordinary 1903 volume: Memorial Addresses Delivered Before the Two Houses of Congress on the Life and Character of Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, and William McKinley. This profound work, commissioned by act of Congress, immortalizes the nation’s grief and reverence for three assassinated Presidents—each a symbol of leadership, sacrifice, and shifting American ideals across the 19th century.
Issued by the Government Printing Office in 1903 under the direction of Charles Rowley Cushman, Clerk of the Committee on Printing, this book is not merely a bound document—it's a national relic. It was conceived as a historical record and tribute to three fallen Presidents, each murdered while in office:
Abraham Lincoln, the Great Emancipator, whose death marked the tragic end of the Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction.
James A. Garfield, a Union general and advocate for civil service reform, whose presidency was cut short by assassination in 1881.
William McKinley, the steady hand during America’s entry into the 20th century, felled by an assassin’s bullet in 1901.
The book features verbatim memorial speeches delivered by members of both the House and Senate, providing invaluable insight into how these leaders were remembered by their contemporaries. Each address is a window into America’s political and cultural heart, reflecting not just mourning but evolving national identity.
Why this book matters:
It is one of the only federally authorized volumes commemorating three U.S. presidents within a single historic tribute.
The content spans nearly 40 years of American history, capturing perspectives across the Civil War, Reconstruction, Gilded Age, and turn-of-the-century progressivism.
Charles R. Cushman ensured its careful compilation and publication—his role was pivotal in preserving the integrity and dignity of congressional documentation.
Produced by the U.S. Government Printing Office, this volume reflects the high typographic standards and durable printing techniques of official federal recordkeeping.
Physical Characteristics:
Original black leather boards with elegant blind embossing and gold gilt titling
Subtle art nouveau-style borderwork on cover design
Frontispiece engraving of Abraham Lincoln in presidential dress
Heavy rag paper with crisp typography
Restoration: This copy has seen time, as any well-lived artifact should. There is edge wear, corner rounding, and surface scuffing, but it has been professionally restored for structural integrity, preserving its authenticity while ensuring continued readability and display value.
Why Collectors Seek It:
Rare presidential tri-memorial format—few volumes exist that honor Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley together
Official U.S. government publication—not a reprint or commercial republication
Highly desirable for collectors of Civil War, Gilded Age, and presidential assassination memorabilia
A perfect centerpiece for a historical library, Americana shelf, or patriotic collection
Specifications:
Title: Memorial Addresses Delivered Before the Two Houses of Congress on the Life and Character of Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, and William McKinley
Compiler: Charles Rowley Cushman
Published: 1903, Government Printing Office, Washington D.C.
Binding: Leatherbound hardcover
Pages: Approx. 200+
Condition: Fair to good, with wear appropriate to age and recent structural restoration
This is not just a book—it is a testimony. A piece of national mourning. A carefully preserved tribute to three of America’s most profoundly remembered presidents. Once shelved in the very halls of Congress, it now stands ready to become a cornerstone of your collection.
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