Condition Report
Contact Information
Lot 83
Sale 6465 - Printed and Manuscript Americana
Jan 29, 2026
10:00AM ET
Live / Philadelphia
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Estimate
$1,500 -
2,500
Price Realized
$1,664
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
[Presidential] [Lincoln, Abraham] National Inauguration Ball Invitation, March 4, 1865
(Washington, D.C.): Engraved by Dempsey & O'Toole, after a design by Joseph Goldsborough Bruff, 1865. Engraved invitation with jugate portraits of Lincoln and Andrew Johnson at top. Bottom right corner lightly bumped. 10 7/16 x 7 1/2 in. (265 x 190 mm).
A fine original engraved invitation for President Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural ball. Although dated March 4, 1865, due to inclement weather the ball was rescheduled to March 6. Taking place during the final stages of the Civil War, the ball was a revelatory event attended by over 4,000 guests, and was held in the Patent Office Building (now the Smithsonian American Art Museum), the first inaugural ball to take place in a government building.
This lot is located in Philadelphia.
