Description:

Lincoln Abraham



Rare Lincoln War Date ALS on Executive Mansion Letterhead

 

Autograph letter signed on engraved Executive Mansion letterhead. Dated "Washington May 24, 1864". 4.25" x 8". Signed by President Lincoln as "A. Lincoln". Hinged only at the top at two points to a larger stiff backing for an overall size of 9" x 12". The text and signature are clearly and boldly written. A single vertical crease has been repaired. Uneven horizontal toning below the signature; otherwise, lightly age-toned with only very minor soiling.

 

President Lincoln writes to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton with instructions to promote a New Jersey colonel - "the one having best testimonials" - to brigadier general. The text and signature bold and clear. The letter reads in full:

 

"Dear Sir, If there be any one or more New-Jersey Colonels commanding Brigades, let the one having best testimonials be nominated for a Brigadier General, if it can, or be soon as it can be, consistently done. Yours truly [signed] A. Lincoln."

 

The president was feeling more confident about the outcome of the war by May 1864. In a letter written on the same day to John Brough, he wrote that "Everything looks exceedingly favorable for us." But the upcoming presidential election was looming in the back of his mind. In the election of 1860, New Jersey was one of the few Northern states to vote for Democrat Stephen Douglas over Lincoln. Though Lincoln handily defeated Douglas (as well as John C. Breckinridge and John Bell) in the presidential election, the loss of New Jersey in 1860 caused the incumbent concerns as the 1864 election neared. (Knowing that Democrats had made strong gains in New Jersey's mid-term state elections of 1862 was equally worrying for the president.) Possibly hoping to strengthen his chances in the Garden State for the upcoming presidential election, the president sends this letter to the War Secretary to promote a New Jersey colonel to brigadier general. Later in August, the Democratic Party nominated George McClellan, a resident of New Jersey. Sure enough, the president lost New Jersey in the November 1864 presidential election, but he handily won the national contest. This letter is not in Roy Basler's Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln.


WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

***Please contact our office for information on third party shippers***


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000