Description:

Lincoln Abraham

Abraham Lincoln perfect signature on ornate document  just weeks after issuing the Emancipation Proclamation


1p partially printed and partially handwritten document on vellum signed by acting 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln as "Abraham Lincoln" at bottom right. A perfect Lincoln signature in rare condition in that it is bold and no folds intersect it whatsoever. Also signed by 27th U.S. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton as "Edwin M. Stanton" at center bottom. Docketed in red pen extreme upper left. The document is in very good to near fine condition, with expected paper folds, isolated edge chipping, and some foxing. The seal is absent, and can be easily replaced by one found in an inconsequential period document. Document measures 13.625" x 17".

 

President Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton signed this document on February 26, 1863 in Washington, DC, authorizing the appointment of Charles E. Curtice to the rank of Additional Paymaster. Curtice was one of many Canadian-born soldiers who served in the American Civil War.; he had been born in New Brunswick. A resident of Whitewater, Wisconsin, Curtice had enlisted in 1861 and served as a cavalry officer in the 4th Wisconsin Volunteers. Soon after this promotion, in acknowledgement of his “patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities”, Curtice was also promoted to major. He then transferred to the U.S. Volunteers Paymaster's Department where he served until February 1865.

 

The document is handsomely illustrated with two large printed patriotic images. At top, a ferocious eagle brandishing arrows and olive branch bursts through lightning bolts, and at bottom, a military themed vignette of draped flags, cannons, helmets, drums, and other arms is depicted in war torn landscape (engravings credited to J.V.N. and C.H. Troop of Washington, City).

 

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) had issued the Emancipation Proclamation just weeks before, on January 1, 1863. Although the proclamation was a great symbolic gesture, it had many restrictions found only in the fine print. For example, while it liberated all slaves in the Confederacy, slaves in border states loyal to the Union and slaves in reclaimed Confederate areas remained in bondage. Finally, the manumission of all slaves was only predicated on the premise of an overall Union victory.

 

Edwin Stanton (1814-1869) served as Secretary of War between January 1862 and May 1868.

 

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