Description:

Abraham Lincoln
various, ca. early 1860s
Abraham Lincoln & Stephen Douglas Civil War-Era Patriotic Envelopes, Near Fine!
Envelopes
A pair of Civil War-era envelopes, blank and unused, including one published by Magee (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) depicting 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865); and one depicting Lincoln's perennial rival, the "Little Giant," Stephen A. Douglas (1813-1861). Ca. early 1860s. Various. Condition issues will be elaborated below.

The lot consists of:

1. An envelope bearing Lincoln's bearded portrait in a roundel, partly bordered by a split-rail fence along the top and left edges. Ca. 1860s. [Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.] Entitled "The Fence that Uncle Abe built" along the top, and accompanied by a 5-line poem, "What though it be a homely face? - / It masks a soul that never quails - / A soul in purpose pure and strong, - / Defending Right denouncing wrong: / Good speed our brave splitter of rails." Printed "Magee, 316 Chestnut St., Phila." along the envelope flap verso. Minor scattered scuffs and light smudges, else near fine. 5.5" x 3."

2. An envelope depicting a bust portrait of Douglas enclosed within a black mourning border. Ca. 1861. Douglas's portrait appears above his facsimile signature and the slogan, "True to the Union / and the / Constitution to the last." Evenly toned recto, and unevenly toned and spot-discolored verso. The envelope flap is present but detached. Else good. 5.5." x 3.125."

The Lincoln-Douglas rivalry was well-established. The two both ran for an Illinois seat to the U.S. Senate in January 1859, following the acclaimed Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858; the Democratic incumbent Douglas won. The two faced off again in the 1860 presidential election, with Douglas as the Democratic nominee and Lincoln helming the "Grand Old Party." Lincoln won and was inaugurated just two months before Douglas's death in June 1861.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: average size: 5.5" x 3.125"
  • Medium: Envelopes

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September 18, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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