Description:

Lincoln Abraham

Single page 7.25" x 3.25" legal order. Signed and written entirely in the hand of Abraham Lincoln. Undated but circa 1841-1842. Signed by Lincoln as "Logan & Lincoln Esq". Page is toned with small repairs on verso to several tiny intact tears, and a small 1mm backing paper strip added to top edge. Matted with a stately print of Lincoln to a finished size of 11.25" x 18".

An important legal order written entirely in Lincoln's hand dating from Lincoln's earlier legal career and during his four-year partnership with Stephen Logan. Shown in full below:

"Christian Goodman                        In Covenant 

Vs                                                       Damages $200

Joseph Allgaier

                                The clerk will please issue a capias in the above entitled cause according to the attached affidavit.

                                                    Logan & Lincoln, Esq"



The legend of Lincoln the lawyer is fueled by the self-taught, rough-hewn man who honed his skills to a high level through diligence and hard work to become one of the best lawyers in the young nation.

Abraham Lincoln came to the law after failed careers as a surveyor and store keeper. As a young man working on his father's farm, Lincoln came to despise hard labor. His father hired him out to work on surrounding farms and despite his dislike of hard labor, he became proficient with an ax, becoming in fact what he is known for, a rail splitter.

Lincoln was unusual for the time, and perhaps for present times as well, in that he was elected to the State Legislature after one failed bid and became a politician who later became a lawyer rather than the reverse. After achieving some fame as a legislator in Illinois, he was urged to study the law by one of the leading lawyers of the day, Steven Logan. Lincoln was a self-taught lawyer, reading from Blackstone's Commentaries before being examined by the Illinois Supreme Court and given his license to practice in 1836 at age 25.

Lincoln, as a lawyer, has been referred to in reverential ways throughout history. As an attorney, Lincoln believed: "The leading rule for the lawyer, as for the man of every other calling, is diligence. Leave nothing for to-morrow which can be done to-day. Never let your correspondence fall behind. Whatever piece of business you have in hand, before stopping, do all the labor pertaining to it which can then be done." He taught that mediation and compromise were to be pursued rather than litigation. "Discourage litigation", Lincoln wrote in his lecture on the practice of law. "As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man." However Lincoln is remembered as an outstanding trial attorney and his legend contains stories of his courtroom exploits.

A handsome presentation, of a scarce Lincoln autographed legal order with about 30 words in a Lincoln's hand. Sold for $5000 at HCA auction 2006.

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