Description:

Abraham Lincoln
Washington, DC, September 12, 1861
Lincoln Appointment for Cabinet Member With Largest, Boldest, Full Signature! Important Content: Detente with England
MDS

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865). Manuscript Document Signed, "Abraham Lincoln", as president, 1p, 10.5" x 16", Washington, DC, September 12, 1861. Written in an elegant clerical hand and countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward (1801-1872). Embossed paper seal of the United States at lower left. Light uniform browning, scattered areas of minor staining, a bit of neat reinforcement to the horizontal folds - none of which affect amongst the largest and boldest full signatures of Abraham Lincoln that we have ever seen. Appointments for cabinet members, even if not their cabinet role, are extraordinarily rare.

Provenance: This document's only appearance at auction was a decade ago, in a much weaker market, at Sotheby's, where it was estimated up to $22,000 (inclusive of BP.)

As 16th U.S. President, Lincoln appoints his Secretary of the Interior to oversee American interests at the Great London Exposition. "Reposing special trust and confidence in your Integrity, Ability and Discretion, I do appoint you a Commissioner to represent the interests of such American Citizens ad may desire to become exhibitors at the Exhibition of Industry of all Nations to be held in the City of London, in the year 1862; authorizing and empowering you in conjunction with your Colleagues, to execute and fulfill the duties best adapted to the accomplishment of the end in view."

Caleb B. Smith (1808-1864) was a United States Representative from Indiana (1843-49), the 6th United States Secretary of the Interior (1861-63) and a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Indiana (1862-64).

Secretary of State Seward was also appointed a Commissioner, as were Edward Everett, Joseph Henry of the Smithsonian, and eight others. Lincoln believed that with the secession of the Southern states it was particularly important for the United States to have a strong presence at the Exhibition, even mentioning it in his 1861 Annual Message to Congress.

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:
  • 10.5" x 16"
  • Artist Name:
  • Abraham Lincoln
  • Medium:
  • MDS<br />

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April 23, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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