Description:

Jefferson Davis
n.p., n.d.
Jefferson Davis Gorgeous Cut as Sec. of War to Civil War Lawyer Who Defended Him For Treason Charges After Arrest!
Slabbed signature

Autograph cut signed by Jefferson Davis, as Secretary of State, executed in dark ink on a neatly trimmed piece removed from a larger handwritten document. The signature "Jefferson Davis" appears prominently on the cut and remains clearly legible, displaying Davis's distinctive 19th-century cursive style. The letter was originally sent to Charles O'Conor, Davis' Civil War Lawyer who would later defend him on treason charges after his high profile arrest. The cut exhibits light toning consistent with age, but is boldly signed. Encapsulated to an overall size of 4.5" x 9.5".

The treason case against Jefferson Davis became one of the most anticipated legal proceedings in American history, yet it never went to trial. Arrested in 1865 and imprisoned at Fort Monroe for two years, Davis was indicted for treason in the U.S. Circuit Court in Richmond. O'Conor led the defense, supported by other prominent lawyers including former U.S. Attorney General William M. Evarts. The legal and political stakes were immense: a conviction could have set a precedent for how the Union treated leaders of the Confederacy, but it also risked reopening deep national wounds during the fragile Reconstruction era. Ultimately, in February 1869, the federal government dropped the case, citing procedural delays and a desire for national reconciliation. Davis was released on bail in 1867 and never stood trial, thanks in part to O'Conor's skilled advocacy and the shifting priorities of a reunifying nation.

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: 4.5" x 9.5"
  • Medium: Slabbed signature

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May 6, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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