Lot 1554
Branch, Lawrence O'Brien. Free Frank ("Free / Lr. OB. Branch / N.C."). As Congressman from North Carolina. Octavo envelope, Washington DC, January 1861. Addressed in Branch's hand to the Hon. Thomas Ruffin of Alamance County, North Carolina. Minor toning to edges; a faint stain vertically through the center of the envelope; overall, near fine. Framed and matted with a cdv copy of Branch, to 9¼ x 11". A very rare signature.
Oh, how we yearn for the contents of this envelope! Thomas Ruffin, Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, was one of North Carolina's five representatives to the February Peace Conference in Washington DC -- a last ditch effort to put off the coming war -- and the postmark on our envelope would indicate that Branch's communication likely had some bearing on the coming meeting. Ruffin was against secession and believed that a compromise was possible, indeed, President Buchanan said later than if Ruffin had argued longer, war would have been averted. A strong, scarce, highly desirable signature on an envelope with intriguing connections.
Estimated Value $1,250 - 2,000.
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