James Whitcomb Autographs
James Whitcomb (December 1, 1795 – October 4, 1852) was a United States senator and the eighth governor of Indiana. As governor during the Mexican–American War, he oversaw the formation and deployment of the state's levies. He led the movement to replace the state constitution and played an important role at the convention to institute a law that prevented the government from taking loans in response the current fiscal crisis in Indiana. By skillfully guiding the state through its bankruptcy, Whitcomb is usually credited as being one of the most successful of Indiana's governors. He was elected to the United States Senate after his term as governor but died of kidney disease only three years later.
James Whitcomb was born in Rochester, Vermont, on December 1, 1795, the fourth of ten children of John W. and Lydia Parmenter Whitcomb. In 1806 his family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they farmed land. Whitcomb loved to read books, but his father would often discourage him from reading, believing that his son needed to take up manual labor to have a successful future. Instead, young Whitcomb taught school and attended Transylvania University in Kentucky, where he studied law and adopted many southern customs. After returning to the north, he became known for his "fastidious dress and elegant manners", and was often criticized during his life for being a fop. Whitcomb loved music, and was able to play many different instruments, but his favorite was the violin. He became well known for his talented playing and would often dance, sing, and play for friends throughout his life.
After graduating in 1819 he moved to Fayette County, Kentucky, where he was admitted to the bar and, in March 1822, began to practice law. He moved to Bloomington, Indiana, in 1824, where he continued to practice law. In Bloomington he quickly became respected in the community. Whitcomb was appointed as prosecuting attorney for Monroe County, Indiana by Governor James B. Ray and served from 1826 to 1829. His position earned him some fame in the area because of several high-profile cases that he successfully prosecuted.
Read more about James Whitcomb on Wikipedia
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Traded items with a signature of James Whitcomb
The most expensive item with a signature of James Whitcomb (COMPLETE WORKS OF JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Six Volumes Signed Limited Edition) was sold in June 2025 for $4,000.00 while the cheapest item (1908 SIGNED COBB SHINN POSTCARD RILEY ROSES, JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY) found a new owner for $2.99 in June 2025. The month with the most items sold (3) was January 2014 with an average selling price of $20.02 for an autographed item of James Whitcomb. Sold items reached their highest average selling price in July 2025 with $2,034.99 and the month that saw the lowest prices with $20.02 was January 2014. In average, an autographed item from James Whitcomb is worth $76.00.
Most recently, these items with a signature of James Whitcomb were sold on eBay - click here for more items.
| Picture | Item Title | Price | Store |
 | JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY - 1890 AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ALS - POET & AUTHOR | $178.05 |  |
| JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY - 1890 AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ALS - POET & AUTHOR | $178.05 | |
| James Whitcomb Riley American Writer Autograph Card Framed With Sketch Pirate | $2,034.99 | |
| James Whitcomb Riley American Writer Autograph Card Framed With Sketch Pirate | $2,034.99 | |
 | JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Autographed Card Writer & Poet Died 1916 | $109.99 | |
| JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Autographed Card Writer & Poet Died 1916 | $109.99 | |
| James Whitcomb Riley Handwritten Signed Poem | $499.00 | |
| James Whitcomb Riley Handwritten Signed Poem | $499.00 | |
| James Whitcomb Riley INK AUTOGRAPH on CARD,Nov. 12, 1897, With God's Hand.. | $164.95 | |
| James Whitcomb Riley INK AUTOGRAPH on CARD,Nov. 12, 1897, With God's Hand.. | $164.95 | |
| James Whitcomb Riley PSA/DNA Autographed Quotation Signed AQS Poet Raggedy Ann | $99.99 | |
| James Whitcomb Riley PSA/DNA Autographed Quotation Signed AQS Poet Raggedy Ann | $99.99 | |
| James whitcomb riley signed book The Book of Joyous Children..also W K Bixby Sig | $76.00 | |
| Poet James Whitcomb Riley Autograph Portrait Signed Hoosier Poet RAAB COA | $200.00 | |
| Poet James Whitcomb Riley Autograph Portrait Signed Hoosier Poet RAAB COA | $200.00 | |
