Fine Books and Manuscripts

Handle with inset engraved plaque with a globe and text reading: "A. Jackson to F. P. Blair," 36 -in. in length. Provenance: Francis Preston Blair (1791-1876), newspaper editor, advisor to President Jackson and member of the "Kitchen Cabinet" (presentation plaque); by descent to Montgomery Blair Jr. A FINE HICKORY CANE PRESENTED FROM JACKSON TO A MEMBER OF HIS "KITCHEN CABINET"Francis Preston Blair was an early member of the Democratic Party and was a strong supporter of Andrew Jackson. He was an influential advisor to Andrew Jackson, and was a member of the "Kitchen Cabinet," a group of unofficial advisors to the President. He was founder and editor of The Globe newspaper from 1830 through 1845, during which time the newspaper championed Democratic causes. After resigning his post as Editor at The Globe, Blair partnered with John C. Rives to start a printing house, receiving orders from Congress, including publishing The Congressional Globe, the precursor of the Congressional Record. Following the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, Blair left the Democratic Party to help establish the Republican Party. He served as an advisor to President Lincoln, and his son, Montgomery, served in Lincoln's cabinet (see lots 326 and 327). Blair resided at Blair House in Washington D. C., which was built in 1824; he left the home to his son Montgomery. It now belongs to the United States government, and was the first building to receive a federally-recognized landmark designation in 1939, and is known today as the "President's Guest House." [With:] 2 copies of The Globe newspaper, comprising: Vol. III, No. 202. Monday, June 2, 1834. - Vol. X, No. 70, September 3, 1840.