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Lot 598
Lincoln, Abraham. 1809-65, 16th president of the U.S. (1861-65). Born in a log cabin in the backwoods, Lincoln was almost entirely self-educated. In 1834 he was elected to the state legislature, and in 1836 he became a lawyer. He served one term (1847-49) in Congress as a Whig; in 1855 he sought to become a senator but failed. In 1856 he joined the new Republican Party. He ran again (1858) for the Senate against Stephen A. Douglas, and in a spirited campaign he and Douglas engaged in seven debates. Although he lost the election, he had by now made a name for himself, and in 1860 he was nominated by the Republicans for president. He ran against a divided Democratic party and was elected with a minority of the popular vote. To the South, Lincoln's election was a signal for secession. By Inauguration Day seven states had seceded, and four more seceded after he issued a summons to the militia. It is generally agreed that Lincoln handled the vast problems of the Civil War with skill and vigor. In 1863 he moved to free the slaves by issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, but preserving the Union remained his main war aim. His thoughts on the war were beautifully expressed in the Gettysburg Address (1863). In 1864 Lincoln ran for re-election against George B. McClellan and won, partly because of the favorable turn of military affairs after his appointment of Gen. U.S. Grant as commander-in-chief. Lincoln saw the end of the war but did not live to implement his plan for Reconstruction. On Apr. 14, 1865, while attending a play at Ford's Theater, in Washington, D.C., he was shot by the actor John Wilkes Booth. He died the next morning.
Autograph Letter Signed ("A. Lincoln"). Two pages with integral address leaf, recto and verso, small quarto, Springfield, Illinois, June 27, 1853. In black ink. To Honorable T.J. Turner of Freeport, Illinois. Two horizontal and two vertical folds, glue stains along upper edge of first leaf, splits along a few folds notably at address leaf where tears have been repaired, postal stamps on address leaf which has been inscribed by a previous owner, toning. Overall, in very good condition.
In this correspondence, Lincoln discusses the case of his client, a farmer from Ogle County named Adam Adams, regarding the purchase of a parcel of land. He writes in full: "Dear Sir: Your letter of the 20th reached me, day-before yesterday. I had, the day before, written to Adams to be on hand with his witnesses -- but, at the request of Judge Logan, who is Kemper's attorney, I put in a Post-script, saying to Adams, if he was agreed, the cause should be continued over the summer term. On subsequent reflection, I rather wish Adams may not agree. I have the case fresh in my mind, and therefore wish to keep it going till it is finished. I have already drafted a Bill of Exceptions, and my plan is to put the common law suit through the forms of a second trial, up to a verdict (which must be against us, under Judge D's view of the law) except, & save all the points, and then, before judgment, file our Bill and get an injunction. I shall began [sic] preparing a Bill this afternoon, which I wish to file during the evening term; and I believe I will do this, even should the ejectment suit be continued -- and in order to this, Mr. Adams must come down to swear to the Bill. In no event can we be ready for proof in the chancery suit at this time, so that we will need no other witness than the one that was here last summer. I wrote Mr. Adams about a Register's certificate & if he can find one or two missing tax receipts, let him bring them. I should be glad to see you & shake you by the hand; but as there is no contested jury question, I scarecely [sic] think you need be at the trouble & expense of coming. All the law questions which can arise at this term, the Judge has already decided. Very truly yours. A. Lincoln"
This letter and subsequent correspondence has been included in Basler's Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln.
Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000.
Superior Stamp & Coin.
Lot 399 from the Paul Richards Estate Auction held February 2, 1944. This piece realized $22,000.
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| Realized $16,675 |
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