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ABRAHAM LINCOLN and WILLIAM H. SEWARD Signed Appointment - Vice Consul of Russia

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:4,500.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
ABRAHAM LINCOLN and WILLIAM H. SEWARD Signed Appointment - Vice Consul of Russia
Autographs
“Abraham Lincoln” & “William H. Seward” Signed Official Appointment for the United States “Vice Consul of Russia”
ABRAHAM LINCOLN (February 12, 1809 - April 15, 1865). 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April of 1865.
May 31, 1862-Dated Civil War Period, Partially-Printed Document Signed “Abraham Lincoln” as President, and “William H. Seward” as Secretary of State, 1 page, measuring about 17.25” x 14.25” (Folio), at the City of Washington (DC), Very Fine. This particular Document is vastly more interesting than most, as it indirectly ties “William H. Seward” who acted as Secretary of State for both Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, to Russia, whom Seward would later purchase Alaska from in 1867.

The Czarist government of Russia, which had established a presence in Alaska in the mid-18th century, first approached the United States about selling the Territory during the administration of President James Buchanan, but negotiations were stalled by the outbreak of the Civil War. After 1865, Seward, a supporter of territorial expansion, was eager to acquire the tremendous land mass of Alaska, an area roughly one-fifth the size of the rest of the United States.

Lincoln signs this Document using his full rich brown ink signature, “Abraham Lincoln” which is flawlessly and beautifully written, measuring a large 3.25” long at the lower right. The embossed official white paper and red wax Seal of the United States is fully intact and well defined at the lower left. There are some scattered faint show-through from the blank verso from an ink smear, expected folds, plus some archival tape was added as fold and edge reinforcement previously on the blank reverse. All of the manuscript portions are very nicely written in large letters in bold brown and are easily readable. This important Document reads, in part:

“ABRAHAM LINCOLN -- President of the Unites States of America -- To All Whom It May Concern --- Satisfactory evidence having been exhibited to me that Martin Klinkowstroem, has been appointed Vice Consul of Russia, for the Port of San Francisco, California; I do hereby recognize him as such, and declare him free to exercise and enjoy such functions, powers and privileges as are allowed to the Vice Consuls of the most favored Nations in the United States. -- (Signed) By the President, “Abraham Lincoln” -- (Countersigned) “William H. Seward,” Secretary of State.”

Historically important, as on March 30th, 1867 United States Secretary of State, William H. Seward, Signs a Treaty with Russia for the purchase of Alaska for $7 million. Despite the “bargain” price of roughly two cents an acre, the Alaskan purchase was ridiculed in Congress and in the press as "Seward's Folly," "Seward's Icebox," and then President Andrew Johnson's "polar bear garden." (See even more in our online version.) Overall, an impressive “Abraham Lincoln” & “William H. Seward” Signed Official Appointment for the United States “Vice Consul of Russia that will be nice for display.
U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward signs a treaty with Russia for the purchase of Alaska for $7 million. Despite the bargain price of roughly two cents an acre, the Alaskan purchase was ridiculed in Congress and in the press as "Seward's folly," "Seward's icebox," and President Andrew Johnson's "polar bear garden."

The Czarist government of Russia, which had established a presence in Alaska in the mid-18th century, first approached the United States about selling the territory during the administration of President James Buchanan, but negotiations were stalled by the outbreak of the Civil War. After 1865, Seward, a supporter of territorial expansion, was eager to acquire the tremendous landmass of Alaska, an area roughly one-fifth the size of the rest of the United States.

He had some difficulty, however, making the case for the purchase of Alaska before the Senate, which ratified the treaty by a margin of just one vote on April 9, 1867. Six months later, Alaska was formally handed over from Russia to the United States. Despite a slow start in U.S. settlement, the discovery of gold in 1898 brought a rapid influx of people to the territory, and Alaska, rich in natural resources, has contributed to American prosperity ever since.