GARFIELD, James A. Letter signed ("J. A. Garfield"), as Presidential candidate, to H. E. Scudder, Mentor, Ohio, 23 June 1880. 4 pages, 4to, minor tears. DISCOURAGING A CAMPAIGN BIOGRAPHER. "A considerable number of publishing firms and writes had commenced the preparation of a work," Garfield writes, "...and there will doubtless be a 'babel' of books hastily written over which I shall have no control. Two or three of the gentlemen who are engaged in this work have called on me for material and I have given them what I had in reach." Given this competition, Garfield asks Scudder--a former college classmate--to consider whether "you think best to undertake it." Some of the biographies will "appear in the course of the next 30 days"! Scudder may have hoped to do what Hawthorne did for his college chum Franklin Pierce. But he notes in the margin: "I did not write...." -- GARFIELD. Autograph diary fragment signed ("J. A. Garfield"), Sunday, 2 January 1880. 1 page, 8vo, detached, in pencil. GARFIELD'S DIARY, WITH A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION. "I am sorry to see that the work of life has left so many of my dear ones in the gossip ways of the world...I shall try to give my children enough of intellectual stores for many days and old age, that they may if possible learn how to consume their own smoke." -- -- GARFIELD. Cabinet card photograph, by A. Bogardus, New York (6¼ x 4 in.). -- GARFIELD. Fragment of an autograph envelope, addressed by Garfield TO BENJAMIN HARRISON. Oblong (3¼ x 5 in.), mounted on a gilt card. Together 4 items. (4)