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Abraham Lincoln Autograph Endorsement Signed with Related Gideon Welles Autograph Letter Signed.. ... (Total: 2 Items)
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$15,000.00
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Description
Abraham Lincoln Autograph Endorsement Signed with Related Gideon Welles Autograph Letter Signed.One page of a bifolium, 7 1/2 x 10 inches. President Lincoln adds his endorsement to the verso of Lieutenant Colonel James Edelin's application for retirement from the Marines. He writes, in full:
"Let Lieut. Col. of Marines, James Edelin, be placed on the retired list, on his own application, according to the law within referenced to." Signed, "A. Lincoln," and dated November 15, 1861.
At the start of the Civil War, the U.S. military faced a serious problem in the form of an aging officer corps, who had neither the means nor the incentive to retire. To open advancement for younger men, Congress authorized a pension system that allowed retirement after forty years of service. James Edelin was one such aging officer-seventy years old in 1861, he had been commissioned into the Marines in 1815. Over the decades, he fought in the Seminole War of 1835, commanded the Marine guard aboard the U.S.S. Independence in the Pacific Squadron during the Mexican-American War, and steadily advanced to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
On the recto, Edelin's application reads, in part: "I have determined after due Consideration to avail myself of the privilege granted in the 15th Section of said Act, to Officers who have served for forty consecutive years, I have therefore the honor - after a faithful service in the U. S. Marine Corps, for more than forty six years to address you this application." Signed, "James Edelin / Lt. Col. Marines."
Together with a related ALS by Gideon Welles, dated November 14, 1861, from the Navy Department in Washington. Welles recommends that Lincoln grant Edelin's application, writing:
"I have the honor to submit, herewith, for your decision, an application made by Lieutenant Colonel James Edelin, of the Marine Corps, under the 13th section of the Act of August 3, 1861...Lieut. Colonel Edelin having served the length of time required by the law, I respectfully recommend that his application be granted." Signed, "Gideon Welles."
Condition: Lincoln endorsement creased at folds, with several separations thereat, touching text on Edelin's application but not Lincoln's endorsement; contemporary blank leaf affixed to the recto with visible adhesive at the top edge, just touching text; ink smudged slightly at Lincoln's signature. Welles letter with smoothed folds; a few separations at the edges, touching text; light staining near the edges; ink bleeding slightly at Welles's signature.
Auction Info
2025 December 8 Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Signature® Auction #6325 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2025
8th
Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 22
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 501
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