Description:

John Milton Hay Humorous ALS Re: "Autographs of Lincoln"

ALS, 1p, measuring 4.5" x 7", dated February 14, 1891, Lafayette Square [Washington, D.C.]. A brief letter to Col. Lewis B. Parsons from John Milton Hay, one of Abraham Lincoln's personal secretaries, in which the latter responds to an inquiry about any autographs of the late President in his possession. This correspondence, sent a year after the publication of a 10-volume account of Lincoln's life co-authored by Hay, shows a renewed interest in the President in both Civil War veterans and the American public alike. Letter has been neatly torn at top left corner, partially obstructing the recipient's name, with expected degrees of darkened handling marks throughout and evidence of prior mounting on verso. Else, very good with contents that display Hay's once-close relationship with the President.

In full:

"In the course of years all my good autographs of Lincoln have been distributed and literally hundreds of letters come to me asking for what I have not got. I do not know whether your friend would care for a mere scrap of signature like this- but such as it is it is at your service."

John Milton Hay (1838-1905) was an American statesman and official whose career in government stretched over almost half a century. He began his career by working as personal secretary and assistant to Abraham Lincoln from the time he became President-Elect up until his assassination. During this time, the two would form a close bond, with Lincoln often treating Hay like a surrogate son. Indeed, upon hearing that the President had been shot, Hay rushed to Lincoln's deathbed and remained there until he died. Later, he would serve for nearly seven years as Secretary of State under President McKinley and, after McKinley's assassination, under Theodore Roosevelt.

Lewis Baldwin Parsons Jr. (1818-1907) was a veteran of the Civil War who became among one of the last officers to be formally promoted by President Andrew Johnson to brigadier general of volunteers in 1866.

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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