5 x 8 illustrated lettersheet (creasing at folds, small 1/2 in. tear along top fold, adhesive residue) featuring rail fence design, a beardless Lincoln portrait in circular frame facing right, black design with flatboat scene below, "Baker-Chicago" imprint at bottom. Scarce. MILGRAM AL-79 (R-1).

Lettersheet utilized for 4pp letter, 16 September [1860], containing family news.

[With:] A second lettersheet with same imprint (adhesive repair, unrelated penciled notations on verso, light chipping, creasing at folds).

The "railsplitter" image was used extensively during the 1860 presidential campaign to demonstrate Lincoln's humble background and frontier upbringing. Similarly, Lincoln's time spent running flatboats to New Orleans as a youth became part of his campaign persona.