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Description

Partial Abraham Lincoln Autograph Letter Signed to an unknown party; 1 page, 7.75" x 5", Springfield, Ill., Sept. 12, 1849. The letter was removed from an album, and had been trimmed down to the letter's dateline, closing and signature, and a single paragraph of text reading in full: "if I had such means, I have no right to interfere there -- I will however say this much -- Joseph Gillespie (brother of the Register) is a most judicious and reliable man, is, in my estimation, the principal Whig of that Land District, and one of the principal Whigs of the whole state -- He resides at Edwardsville." The context of the letter is unclear, and its purposes unknown, but Gillespie was an old legal and political acquaintance; Lincoln had been instrumental in securing his brother Matthew an appointment to the Edwardsville Land Office. Gillespie's influence can be gauged by Lincoln's comment to him regarding his run for the US Senate in 1854: "If I could have your support my chances would be reasonably good", and offered to withdraw if Gillespie sought the office himself. The letter has been restored, the separate sections neatly tissued together on verso, adding a small missing portion to give a complete appearance. Very good with dark ink.

Auction Info

Auction Dates
June, 2007
24th-25th Sunday-Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 8
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 721

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.

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Sold on Jun 25, 2007 for: $5,975.00
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