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The Man Who Challenged Abraham Lincoln to a Duel The Man Who Challenged Abraham Lincoln to a Duel, J

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:150.00 - 200.00 USD
The Man Who Challenged Abraham Lincoln to a Duel The Man Who Challenged Abraham Lincoln to a Duel, J
<B>The Man Who Challenged Abraham Lincoln to a Duel, James Shields Autograph Letter Signed</B></I> "<I>Jas Shields</B></I>". One page, 7.75" x 6.5", Washington, February 14, 1852, to Gustavius Henderson of Baltimore. In reply to an autograph request, he writes, in part: "<I>...My fear is that my poor name will be out of place in such a brilliant collection.</B></I>" Shields is certainly an interesting person; an Irish-born American politician and army officer, he is the only person to ever serve as a U.S. senator from three different states (Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri). While employed as state auditor in Illinois, Shields took exception to an article Abraham Lincoln published in a Springfield newspaper that poked fun at him. He demanded satisfaction and the incident escalated until, on September 22, 1842, the two parties met across the border in Missouri to settle the dispute with a duel. Their "seconds" intervened and convinced the men to conciliate without gunfire. This letter has original mailing folds and two small mounting traces showing through from the verso, else fine. A period book plate illustration is included.