Blanche Kelso Bruce (1841-1898) was born into slavery in Virginia but gained his freedom with the start of the Civil War. He attended Oberlin College and ultimately was elected to the U.S. Senate, only second African American to achieve this. He represented Mississippi from 1875-1881, becoming the first elected African American senator to serve a full term.

The group of 2 pieces includes a clipped signature attached to a piece of hard stock paper measuring 4 1/4" x 6 1/2". The second piece is a Deed of Trust dated August 7, 1890 between Margaret Wren to George H.B. White and Thomas J. Myers. 

Normally these types of deeds are not very valuable, but being signed by makes it very desirable.

Two small edge splits at the folds, else fine.