A superlative collection of thirteen documents and letters, each signed by Lincoln or a member of his cabinet. The entire collection is presented in a deluxe custom album bound in black morocco with elaborate gilt tooling and red moiré silk endpapers. Each item has been expertly inlaid to an 11 x 14.25 sheet, and the presentation is further enhanced with the inclusion of similarly inlaid period engravings of the men represented—the assembly of which represents no mean task in itself. A summary of the items follows: (1) Partially printed war-date DS as President, signed “Abraham Lincoln,” one page, 14.5 x 12, September 24, 1864. A scarce diplomatic document related to the appointment of Carl Messing as “Consul of the Principality of Schaumberg Lippe, for the United States, to reside at Philadelphia,” whom Lincoln recognizes and declares “free to exercise and enjoy such functions, powers, and privileges as are allowed to Consuls by the Law of Nations or by the Laws of the United States.” The document bears an embossed paper seal and is countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward. (2) ALS, signed [Vice President] “Hannibal Hamlin,” two pages on two lightly lined adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, August 22, 1887. A response to an invitation to a patriotic event from Hampton L. Carson, Esq. In part: “I was in due receipt of your invitation to attend the Ceremonies in Commemoration of the Pronuncyation [sic] of the Constitution of the United States to be held at Phila. the 15th 16th and 17th of Sept. 1887…. I will attend if I possibly can, but owing to certain conditions of my affairs I cannot determine until about the 10th of Sept.” (3) War-date ALS, signed [as Secretary of State] “William H. Seward,” one page, 8 x 10, February 18, 1862. Seward writes to Senator Charles Sumner, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, regarding a diplomatic matter. In part: “I have the honor to request, for the purposes of justice, that the necessary legislation may be introduced for the amending of the act of 20 February 1861, ‘to carry into effect the Conventions between the United States and the Republics of New Granada and Costa Rica’ so that instead of the words ‘any claimant’ in sections six and thirteen, the words ‘either party,’ may be substituted.” The day this document was signed was a somber one in Washington: Lincoln’s son, Willie, had died the evening before. (4) War-date LS, signed [as Secretary of the Treasury] “S. P. Chase,” one page, 5.5 x 9, Treasury Department letterhead, June 20, 1861. Chase writes to noted New York historian and author T. Apoleon Cheney, who had evidently sought a job and provided a “tasteful” bribe. In part: “I received your ‘Ancient Mon[uments] of Western N.Y.’ and thank you for it. Every office within my gift, suitable for you and worthy of your attention, has been disposed of. The pressure for places commenced even before the Inauguration of the President, and continued with unusual severity.” (5) War-date ALS, signed [as Secretary of War] “Simon Cameron,” one lightly lined page, 5 x 7.75, November 1, 1861. A significant letter to General [either George H. or Lorenzo] Thomas. In part: “I think General Butler should have his brother placed on his staff & if a vacancy exists, let him be made comm***** [illegible].” Andrew J. Butler, brother of General Benjamin Butler, ignited controversy when he was accused of graft during General Butler’s administration of Union-occupied New Orleans. Cameron himself was forced to resign his cabinet post in the following year in the wake of a corruption scandal. (6) Partially printed war-date DS, signed [as Secretary of War] “Edwin M. Stanton,” one page, 5.25 x 3.5, October 25, 1864. A pass, filled out in Stanton’s hand, allowing “General C. H. Williams his son & four ladies to City Point & back via Fortress Monroe & Norfolk.” (7) War-date LS, signed [as Secretary of the Navy] “Gideon Welles,” one lightly lined page, 7.75 x 9.5, June 15, 1863. A brief letter in a secretarial hand, intended as the text of a telegram, to Commander J. B. Montgomery of the Navy yard in Boston. In full: “Have you received the Department’s order of yesterday, and has the Montgomery, Ethan Allen and any other vessels gone?” (8) ALS, signed [as Attorney General] “Edw. Bates,” one lightly lined page, 5 x 4.25, February 13, 1864. In full: “Mr. Bates takes pleasure in promptly complying with the request of Mrs. Foster by sending the enclosed two cards.” (9) ALS, signed [Attorney General] James Speed, one lightly lined page, 4.75 x 7.75, April 21, 1879. Speed writes to Mr. Hough in Baltimore. In part: “There is no study more agreeable & at the same time instructive, than biography…. Alexander Hamilton being asked what it required to make a great man said, ‘Opportunity.’” (10) ALS, signed [Secretary of the Treasury] “Hugh McCulloch,” one lightly lined page, 4.5 x 7.25, April 26, 1889. McCulloch writes to Henry C. Bowen, editor of the New York–based newspaper the Independent. In full: “I have yours of the 24th inst., and also the copies of your Centennial issue. Heartily sympathizing with the feelings which you express….” (11) Partially printed DS, boldly signed [as Postmaster General] “W. Dennison,” one page, 14.75 x 12.75, July 29, 1865. An appointment naming Henry Massie as Postmaster of Charlottesville, Virginia. (12) War-date ALS, signed [Secretary of the Treasury] “W[illiam] P[itt] Fessenden,” one lightly lined page, 4.75 x 8, November 17, 1871. Fessenden writes to Mr. Forbes. In part: “It would afford me much gratification to meet the gentlemen referred to, and still more to make you a short visit—but I shall have to [sic] little time in Boston, the many little things to do, but I must forgo the pleasure.” Also included (13) is an ink signature, [Secretary of the Interior] “J. P. Usher,” on an off-white 3.75 x 2.25 card laid into the volume. The condition of the items ranges from very good to fine. Most exhibit the usual mild toning and scattered minor soiling appropriate to documents of this age, and the larger documents were folded in order to fit into the volume. The Lincoln document has scattered wrinkles, soiling and a few spots, and folds (two each touching Lincoln and Seward signatures) resulting in a few separations, holes, and small losses at the intersections; most of these have been repaired from the reverse and are, in any case, well away from the strong signature. The remainder of the documents exhibit scattered usual mailing folds, minor stains, and a few trimmed edges, not affecting the signatures. The Speed letter has considerable dampstaining with some associated bleeding of the ink, yet remains fully legible; the Dennison document has an area of light dampstaining in the upper portion, well away from the signature. The volume itself shows light rubbing at the extremities, and the front cover has become detached; however, the outstanding quality and visual appeal of the binding make the necessary modest restoration well worth the effort. The intact survival of such a volume represents a vanishing tradition in the history of autograph collecting, harking back to a time when such tightly focused collections were painstakingly assembled over a period of years and lovingly presented by a justly proud owner. Don’t pass up this outstanding opportunity to keep alive the spirit of true connoisseurship! COA John Reznikoff/University Archives and R&R COA.
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