American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

CDV vignetted engraved portrait of Lincoln, uncredited but signed on verso, "A Lincoln." Accompanied by a cover addressed in Lincoln's hand to the recipient of the signed CDV, Hon. John Hickman of West Chester, PA, with postmark from Washington dated April 1861. 

This CDV was found mounted in an album with newspaper clippings kept by John Hickman, at which point the signature was discovered. The cover dated 1861 was mounted to the same page, so it seems to follow that this photograph was sent by President Lincoln to Hickman on 10 April 1861.

Also included are two covers written in the hand of John Hickman, the first addressed to A.J. Smith of Hightstown, NJ, with postmark from Washington dated indecipherably and "J. Hickman, M.C." inscribed to upper right, the second addressed to Mr. John Townshend of New Castle Co., Delaware, with with postmark from West Chester, PA dated 4 February 1861 and "J. Hickman, M.C." inscribed to upper right.

John Hickman (1810-1875) was a Pennsylvania congressman who left the Democratic Party for the Republican Party over the issue of slavery. He was the third choice for Vice President after Hannibal Hamlin and Cassius Clay.