Lot 964: KY Capitol Presentation Document

Ink on vellum calligraphy presentation document for the Governor of Kentucky, referencing the construction of the state’s Capitol Building. Calligraphy by Kentucky historian, author, and attorney Charles Mutzenberg. Features hand-drawn holly border and vignette at top with the seal of Kentucky, and cartouche with a banner reading “Testimonial for Governor J.C. W. Berkham,” given by the Citizens of Frankfort, Kentucky, December Tenth, 1907. Handwritten text reads as follows: “In presenting the Testimonial, Mayor Hume said ‘It affords me great pleasure as Mayor of Frankfort to present this written testimonial of the appreciation of her citizens of your services in securing the construction of our new Capitol Building where the wisdom of our fathers had placed the permanent seat of government. We knew you first as a Page in the House of Representatives where later you were to wield the gavel as Speaker. Then when as Governor in those dark days fraught with misery and terror for the people of Frankfort, we gradually realized that our ship of state was guided by an able and conservative statesman, who was a Kentuckian first and a partisan afterwards. The conservatism, the breadth of view, the generosity displayed by the youngest man who ever took the oath of office as Governor of Kentucky have won encomiums from your bitterest enemies and brought peace and good will to reign in the State of Kentucky, yes, even in the Capitol City, the storm center of her politics. In offering this testimonial, I cannot forbear reference to that lady, who having lived in the old mansion as the petted daughter of Governor Wickliffe, returned after so many years to occupy it as mistress until the coming of the fair young bride who joined her as the First Lady. The object lesson of two typical Kentucky women, devoted Christians both training up your little ones in the way they should go made us point with pride to the mansion as all that a Kentucky home should be. In addition to these resolutions of gratitude and esteem, our citizens regardless of party have asked me to present two beautiful gifts, a silver service to be suitably inscribed and to contain engravings of the old and new Capitol. We desire this to be handed down to John Cripps Wickliffe Beckham, Jr. and to be kept by his posterity as a memento of our appreciation of his father’s services. The tall clock, which we trust will sound with its Westminster Chimes to the hours of a long and happy life for you and your dear wife, we wish to become the heritage of your daughter Eleanor, the only child ever born in the old mansion. Again thanking you for your goodwill and services in behalf of Frankfort, I offer these slight tokens of our appreciation of them. To Governor J.C. W. Beckham: On retirement from the high office in which you have so truly served the people, the citizenship of the Capitol City deem it a pleasure to say to you Well Done good and faithful servant. It goes without saying that devotion and fidelity to duty were to be expected from your high character and that of your distinguished ancestry. We nevertheless cannot refrain from giving this public expression of our appreciation as a testimonial from those who knew you best during the trying and eventful time of your occupancy of the Executive Chair. May your faithfulness over a few things lead an appreciative and discriminating people to call you to higher things!’ — E.E. Hume, Mayor Frankfort & Chairman of Committee.” Signed lower right corner “Chas. G. Mutzenberg, Frankfort KY”. Housed in a later gold leaf frame. Sight: 26 in. H x 22 in. W. Framed: 28 1/2 in. H x 24 3/4 in. W.

CONDITION: Some creasing; a band of discoloration and foxing to the upper edge. Light fading to lettering.