Lot 408
Wilson, Ellen Axson (1860-1914) First wife of President Woodrow Wilson. Extremely rare White House Card Signed ("Ellen A Wilson"), 2¾" x 4 1/8"n.p., n.d. Very fine; lightly toned. Born in Savannah, Georgia, Ellen Louise Axson was the daughter and granddaughter of Presbyterian ministers. She was a lady of refinement, enjoying art, music, and literature. In April 1883 she met the future President, and they married June 24, 1885, after Wilson finished postgraduate work at Johns Hopkins University and Ellen nursed her ailing father. As wife of the Governor of New Jersey and then First Lady of the U.S., she conducted herself with dignity and grace, although she did not particularly relish being in the spotlight. She painted and drew in a studio on the third floor of the White House and arranged White House weddings for two of the Wilsons' daughters. She also devoted a great deal of her time to charity, especially trying to ameliorate slum conditions in Washington, D.C. When Ellen died of Bright's disease on August 6, 1914, President Wilson was devastated and confided to a White House aide that he hoped to be assassinated. Any autograph material of Ellen Wilson is extremely rare.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500.
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