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Abraham Lincoln

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:25,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
Abraham Lincoln

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Auction Date:2014 May 14 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Civil War–dated ALS as president signed twice, “A. Lincoln,” one page, 5 x 8, Executive Mansion letterhead, October 9, 1862. Letter to Quarter-Master General Montgomery C. Meigs. In full: “The bearer of this, Elbridge Meconkey, was on Gen. McCall’s staff, and was wounded at Gaine’s Mill. He now wishes to be a Quarter-Master; and I would like to appoint him, if another Q. M. is now needed. Please answer.” On the reverse of the second integral page, Meigs writes a response to the president on the following day, signed “M C Meigs, QMG,” in full: “Respectfully returned to the President of the United States. This Department has now calls for details of Quarter-Masters of Volunteers which it cannot supply, & the Quarter Master General will gladly avail of the services of any efficient officer who may be appointed & directed to report to him for duty.” Below this, Lincoln pens his final approval, also signed “A. Lincoln,” in full: “Let Elbridge Meconkey be appointed at once.” Vertical mailing folds (one passing between his first initial and last name in the first signature), a bit of toning, and unobtrusive evidence of professional repairs to some folds, otherwise fine condition; both signatures are exquisite in boldness and clarity.

This exemplary letter shows Lincoln’s personal involvement in appointments during his administration, especially those concerning the war effort. The Battle of Gaines’ Mill took place on June 27, 1862, and the wounded Meconkey met with Lincoln on October 9, 1862—the date of this initial letter—to make his request, then personally delivered the message to Meigs. Despite Meigs’ positive response and Lincoln's instructions, there is no reference to the position of quartermaster in Meconkey’s lengthy obituary, nor is the appointment found in government records, so it seems that the position fell through.

Twice-signed Lincoln presidential items on opposite sheets are rarely encountered as they were usually separated by collectors to create two signed documents. According to volume five of the Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, this letter was once owned by famed agricultural author Karl John Theodore Ekblaw and his wife. This example is especially attractive and notably intact.