Lot #81

Abraham Lincoln

Description

Less than two weeks before Lincoln’s historic presidential election, the future president writes William Henry, a former Whig colleague who six weeks later cast his electoral vote in favor of the representative from Illinois

ALS signed “A. Lincoln,” one page, lightly-lined, 5.25 x 8, October 24, 1860. Just thirteen days before he was elected president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln wrote this letter to William Henry, a congressman from Vermont who, as one of five presidential electors, cast his vote for Lincoln and vice presidential candidate Hannibal Hamlin—a vote he cast just six weeks after receiving this favorable letter. In full, Lincoln writes: “Yours of the 10th was duly received; and for which please accept my thanks – I would be pleased to write you more at length, but lack of time forbids. Mrs. L. joins me in wishes for your long life and happiness. Yours very truly.” The future president closed the letter “A. Lincoln.” The message is affixed by its integral second page to an 8.25 x 10.75 sheet from an early 20th Century display folder on laid paper. This Lincoln-signed survivor exhibits fine condition with some scattered, light creasing and wrinkling, as well as a bit of trivial toning. Accompanying the letter is an original, 4.75 x 7.5 engraved invitation to “a private exhibition of a Model of the Freedman’s Monument to Abraham Lincoln … in the Statuary Room of the Boston Athenæum.” The invitation was sent to William Henry’s son-in-law Charles Bemis. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.

Auction Info

• Auction Title:
• Dates: #346 - Ended June 17, 2009

This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
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