Description:

Abraham Lincoln
various, ca. 1864-1867
Lincoln & Johnson Signed Autograph Album (Beckett), Plus 10 Cabinet Members! 74 Signatures Total
Signed album

Historically significant 19th-century autograph album kept by one Miss Ida Bower featuring 74 individual signatures, among them Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson (both signed as President), in addition to numerous politicians associated with their two cabinets. Placeholders have been left blank for the signatures of Attorney General, Secretary of War, and Assistant Secretary of War. The album, measuring 8" x 5.25", features embossed black leather boards with gold detailing at cover and spine; exhibits subtle conservatory repairs at spine and edges, having been rebound with modern endpapers. Blindstamp of E. Darrow & Brother of Rochester, NY found at front flyleaf. Expected age toning and scattered handling marks within. Very good overall- both Presidents signatures remaining clean and bold. Accompanied by two Letters of Authenticity from Beckett, one for Lincoln and John Hay (graded 10) and the other for Johnson and Orville H. Browning.

Signatures include:

- President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), as "A. Lincoln"

- President Andrew Johnson (1808-1875), as "Andrew Johnson/ Washington City/ Dist Col Jan 10th/ 1867". Johnson mistakenly wrote 1866 and crossed out the "6" to correct for the recent New Year

- John Milton Hay (1838-1905), Lincoln's personal secretary, as "John Hay" below the President's signature

- William Seward (1801-1872), Secretary of State, as "William H. Seward/ Auburn"

- Gideon Welles (1802-1878), Secretary of the Navy, as "Gideon Welles/ 27th Oct 1864"

- John Palmer Usher (1816-1889), Secretary of the Interior, as "J.P. Usher/ 29 Oct 1864"

- William Dennison (1815-1882), Postmaster General, as "W Dennison/ 29 Oct 1864"

- Ethan Allen Hitchcock (1798-1870), Civil War General, Commissioner for Prisoner of War exchange, and later Commissary-General of Prisoners, as "E. A. Hitchcock/ Maj Gen Vol./ Comm. Of Exch."

- Joseph Holt (1807-1894), Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Army and prosecutor for the Lincoln assassination trial, as "J. Holt./ Judge Adv General."

- James Barnet Fry (1827-1894), military officer and provost marshal general of the U.S. Army, as "James B. Fry/ Provost Marshal General"

- Orville Hickman Browning (1806-1881), Johnson's Secretary of the Interior, as "O.H. Browning/ Secretary of the Interior/ Jany 31, 1867"

- Hugh McCulloch (1808-1895), Johnson's Secretary of the Treasury, as "Hugh McCulloch/ Jany 30, 1867"

- William E. Chandler (1835-1917) Johnson's Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, as "Wm E. Chandler/ January 1867"

- Francis Spinner (1802-1890), Treasurer under Lincoln, Johnson, and Grant, as "F.E. Spinner/ Treasurer of the US/ Oct 27, 1864"

- William P. Fessenden (1806-1869), Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury, as "W.P. Fessenden/ Sec. of Treasury/ Washington D.C./ Oct 27th 1864"

- Benjamin D. Pritchard (1835-1907), U.S. Army officer known for leading the cavalry that captured Jefferson Davis, as "B. D. Pritchard/ Brvt. Brig General"

Born in Rochester, NY on November 26, 1851, Ida Kirk Bower (1851-1921) would have been just 13 years old in 1864. The album features an additional 11 signatures of her family and friends, the majority being from upstate New York, including her father John Bower (1813-1902) and brother William Bower (1838-1875). A veteran of the Civil War, William enlisted on September 18, 1861 with the 1st New York Light Artillery, Battery L. He was later wounded in August 1862 at Rappahannock Station, which led the amputation of his left arm and subsequent discharge in 1863. He nevertheless continued to serve in the Veteran's Reserve Corps until 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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  • Dimensions: 8" x 5.25"
  • Medium: Signed album

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April 23, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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