American Historical Ephemera & Photography

A group of 12 autographs of mid-to-late 19th-century politicians and statesmen, many associated with Lincoln, incl. Charles Sumner, Edward Everett, Thaddeus Stevens, Horace Greeley, and Robert Todd Lincoln, comprising:

CONKLING, Roscoe (1829-1888). Autograph letter signed ("Roscoe Conkling") to Edwin M. Stanton. Utica, New York, 6 February 1865. 1 page, 5 x 8 in., partially mounted on cardstock, creasing, slight loss along left edge. Lawyer and politician from New York who served both as a member of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate.

CONKLING, Roscoe (1829-1888). Clipped signature ("Roscoe Conkling"), New York, n.d. 1 page, 6 1/4 x 4 1/4 in., mounted on cardstock, partial separation at central vertical fold line, some soiling.

EVERETT, Edward (1794-1865). Clipped signature ("Edward Everett"), Boston, Massachusetts, 14 September 1864. 3 3/8 x 2 in. (few spots/smudges). Inscription on verso indicates this was "procured by W.M. Newton at Boston, Mass." on 14 September 1864. Statesman and orator who delivered the lengthy Gettysburg Address.

GREELEY, Horace (1811-1872). Partial autograph note signed ("Horace Greeley") to Joseph B. Brown (?). New York, 27 December ?. 1 page, 4 3/4 x 9 1/2 in., mounted on cardstock, horizontal split in note reinforced when mounted, short tear near lower left corner. Accompanied typed note states, "According to Lincoln collector, Harry G. Golden, Greeley scribbled this note during Lincoln's presidency," although the date of the note cannot be confirmed. Greeley was founder and editor of the New York Tribune. He served briefly as a congressman from New York and was the unsuccessful candidate of the new Liberal Republican Party in the 1872 presidential election.

GREELEY, Horace (1811-1872). Clipped signature ("Horace Greeley"), n.d. 2 1/2 x 3/4 in., few smudges, mounted on 3 1/2 x 2 3/4 in. card.

HARRIS, Ira (1802-1875). Autograph letter signed ("Ira Harris") to John H. Porter. Albany, New York, 26 October 1862. Harris served as New York State Senator and Justice of the New York State Supreme Court.

INGERSOLL, Robert G. (1833-1899). Signed card ("R.G. Ingersoll"), n.d. 4 1/4 x 2 3/4 in., a few smudges, remnants of adhesive on verso, likely previously removed from album.

DIXON, Jr., Thomas. Dixon on Ingersoll. New York: John B. Alden, [1892]. 8vo, illustrated. Original publisher's brown cloth. Provnance: H[Henry] Storm, 1892 (ownership inscription to front free endpaper).

INGERSOLL, Robert G. "Why I am a Republican." Philadelphia: Ben. Franklin Publishing Co., 13 February 1882. 4pp., 5 1/4 x 8 in. pamphlet (edge/corner wear, tape repairs, toning).

LINCOLN, Robert Todd (1843-1926). Letter signed ("Robert T. Lincoln") to Henry Storm. Washington, DC, 25 April 1881. 1 page, 7 3/4 x 4 3/4 in., on War Department letterhead, Washington letterhead, light corner and edge wear.

SPRAGUE, William (1830-1915). Autograph letter signed ("Wm. Sprague") to William D. Ely. Senate, 2 March 1864. 1 page, 5 x 8 in., mounted to cardstock. Sprague references a file originally enclosed with the letter (not included with the lot). 27th Governor of Rhode Island from 1860-1863 and US Senator from 1863-1875. Sprague participated in the First Battle of Bull Run during the Civil War.

STEVENS, Thaddeus (1792-1868). Clipped signature ("Thaddeus Stevens"), n.d. 3 7/8 x 2 1/4 in., toning, soiling and spotting. Stevens was a dedicated abolitionist who represented Pennsylvania in the US House of Representatives for seven terms. He fought tirelessly against President Johnson in the aftermath of the Civil War attempting to secure the rights of recently freed enslaved people and counter African American discrimination, and played a major role in securing the articles of impeachment against Johnson. 

SUMNER, Charles (1811-1874). Letter signed ("Charles Sumner") to C.H. White. Senate Chamber, 24 April [ca 1862]. 1 page, 5 x 8 in., previous mounting paper affixed to verso, tear at top edge, mounted to cardstock. Sumner writes to Mr. White of the Second Auditor's Office, Treasury Department, stating that he cannot give him the ticket he requested because he had promised to give to others.

SUMNER, Charles (1811-1874). Clipped signature ("Charles Sumner"), n.d. 2 x 3 in., remnants of adhesive on verso, likely previously removed from album.