LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Grand Format Autographs #629  / 

25121

Andrew Johnson Personal Check Signed as Pres

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Andrew Johnson Personal Check Signed as Pres
<B>Andrew Johnson Personal Check Signed as President.</B></I> 8" x 3", Washington, October 30, 1866. A graphically appealing large check drawn on the First National Bank of Washington, "Government Depository and Financial Agent of the United States." Written to "<I>A.G. Mackey Collector of Customs Charleston South Carolina</B></I>", in the amount of $1,000. Accomplished in another hand, but signed by Johnson as sitting President. An especially nice, clean signature, free of typical cancellation and other marks. The upper right corner bears the initials "<I>A.J.</B></I>" which constitute a Free Frank in his hand. Written under the payline, in the same hand, in part: "<I>…of my subscription to pay for Marina Hospital at Charleston Sth. Carolina for Board of Missions…</B></I>" The reverse of the check is endorsed by Mackey as Collector of Customs, and also endorsed by Treasurer Francis Spinner. The Marine Hospital was also one of the most controversial buildings of Charleston's antebellum period, viewed by state's rights advocates as an illustration of the Federal government's abuse of its powers. The Marine Hospital Fund, established in 1798 by an Act of Congress, was one of the earliest manifestations of the Federal involvement in the area of public health, and provided the first Federal health care and social welfare initiative for United States sailors. Funding for the hospitals was deducted from sailors' wages and supplemented by shipping industry taxes. The $1,000 donation was clearly a substantial one in those days. Presidential checks are highly collectable, especially when dated during their term of office. Fine condition; mounting traces on verso; two cancellation cuts; two-cent revenue stamp in upper corner; light overall toning.
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