American forger (1887-1950?) who forged letters from American luminaries. Joseph Cosey forgery of a handwritten letter signed “A. Lincoln,” one page, 7.5 x 9.75, December 2, 1858. A forged letter to N. W. Edwards, in part: “Mr. Cuny of the Alton and Sangamon R. R. has sent me this map of a part of Nebraska through which the proposed Pony Express must pass—It is not of much help but it will show the hazards that such an enterprise will entail—Willaim Russell of Russell Majors and Waddell has made arrangements east of St. Joseph, Mo. The route is to be through Kansas, through a wild part of Nebraska, by Fort Kearney, along the Platte, by Fort Laramie, past the Butte, over the Rocky Mountains, through the Northern passes, and along the defiles of Utah, dangerous to any horseman, to Fort Bridger and Salt Lake, and across the Desert to the Sierra Nevadas, and into California.” In fine condition, with short fold splits.
