[POLITICS IN AMERICA]. A group of 8 items related to early African American politicians and government officials including Reconstruction-era Congressmen and attorneys.

COBB, James A. (1876-1958). Autograph letter signed ("James A. Cobb") on letterhead of the "Office of the United States District Attorney, District of Columbia, Washington, D.C." 26 February 1913. 2pp, 5 1/4 x 7 in. (creasing, light toning). Accompanied by mailing envelope. Cobb writes to a friend with his condolences on the loss of a family member. Cobb was a prominent African American lawyer who became the first Black man to work as a special assistant in the Department of Justice. He was later appointed a professor of law at Howard University and a Judge in the Municipal Court of Washington, D.C.

BRUCE, B.K. (1841-1898). Clipped signature ("B.K. Bruce / Miss."). Bruce was the first African American to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate.

RAPIER, James T. (1837-1883). Stamp for Special Tax United States Internal Revenue signed ("James T. Rapier"). 7 x 7 1/2 in. Rapier serve as a U.S. Representative from Alabama from 1873-1875, and later was appointed collector for the IRS.

LYONS, Judson Whitlocke (1860-1924). Check signed ("J.W. Lyons"). 5 December 1907. First African American attorney in Georgia who became the leader of Georgia's Republican Party before receiving an appointment to Register of the Treasury in 1898 and becoming one of America's highest ranking African American government officials.

[With:] RANSIER, Alonzo J. (1834-1882). 3 page folio legal document related to a case in which Ransier was a defendant. Ransier was the first African American lieutenant governor of the state of South Carolina. Accompanied by a Court of Ordinary Certificate of Administration naming Louisa Ann Ransier, the wife of Alonzo Ransier. -- LEE, Samuel L. (1827-1895). Attorney signed document sent per Lee related to a house deed. 1 July 1880. Lee was a prominent African American attorney and politician in the state of South Carolina. -- PRESTON, Stephen. Clipped signature ("Stephen Preston"). Haiti's Ambassador to the United States from 1870-1884. Preston worked closely with Ebenezer Bassett, America's first African American diplomat.

Conditions vary but generally good.

Property from the Augustana Collection