Lot features A. Lincoln signature removed from a check, .75 x 1.75 in., framed with a Lincoln photo by Brady, an 1849 one dollar bill issued by the State Bank of Illinois, with the cashier's signature A Lincoln, and a newspaper clipping discussing the story behind the signed dollar bill. This group is accompanied by three letters from Lincoln's son, Robert Todd Lincoln, including 2 ALsS and 1 LS, plus 6 transcripts of Robert Todd Lincoln's letters typed on onion skin. The story behind this curious group goes back to 1880 when the noted collector Henry C. Hines found an old State Bank of Illinois bill dated 1849 bearing the signature A Lincoln. After conducting his own research, Hines contacted Robert Todd Lincoln to get his opinion regarding the signature on the bill. In a letter to Hines dated September 1, 1880, Lincoln responded I do not remember that I ever heard that my father was at any time an officer of the old "State Bank of Illinois." He then requested that Hines send the bill to him so he could authenticate the signature. Hines did not hesitate to send the bill as requested, and after Lincoln examined it, he replied in a letter dated September 10, 1880 The signature in question very much resembles my father's writing; the letter "L" seems to be characteristic. I send you a signature for comparison. He also explained that he contacted an old friend to see if he had any recollection regarding the matter. Again, on October 4, 1880, Lincoln wrote to Hines explaining I have received a letter from an old friend of my father, Major Stuart of Springfield, with whom my father studied law...Major Stuart writes me that my father never was cashier of the State Bank nor had any connection with it...the signature beyond all question is fictitious. The signature was not an intentional forgery, but rather a case in which another individual of the period, working in Springfield, Illinois, shared the same name with Abraham Lincoln. This group was purchased from Walter Benjamin's Autograph Firm in 1948 for $65. The items are offered with the June, 1948 issue of The Collector, which features Mary Benjamin's article on the Lincoln signature, plus related correspondence. Overall, an interesting group with excellent provenance. Condition: Crease through top portion of Lincoln photo; Abraham Lincoln signature strong; Robert Todd Lincoln letters and signatures strong as well.
Lot features A. Lincoln signature removed from a check, .75 x 1.75 in., framed with a Lincoln photo by Brady, an 1849 one dollar bill issued by the State Bank of Illinois, with the cashier's signature A Lincoln, and a newspaper clipping discussing the story behind the signed dollar bill. This group is accompanied by three letters from Lincoln's son, Robert Todd Lincoln, including 2 ALsS and 1 LS, plus 6 transcripts of Robert Todd Lincoln's letters typed on onion skin. The story behind this curious group goes back to 1880 when the noted collector Henry C. Hines found an old State Bank of Illinois bill dated 1849 bearing the signature A Lincoln. After conducting his own research, Hines contacted Robert Todd Lincoln to get his opinion regarding the signature on the bill. In a letter to Hines dated September 1, 1880, Lincoln responded I do not remember that I ever heard that my father was at any time an officer of the old "State Bank of Illinois." He then requested that Hines send the bill to him so he could authenticate the signature. Hines did not hesitate to send the bill as requested, and after Lincoln examined it, he replied in a letter dated September 10, 1880 The signature in question very much resembles my father's writing; the letter "L" seems to be characteristic. I send you a signature for comparison. He also explained that he contacted an old friend to see if he had any recollection regarding the matter. Again, on October 4, 1880, Lincoln wrote to Hines explaining I have received a letter from an old friend of my father, Major Stuart of Springfield, with whom my father studied law...Major Stuart writes me that my father never was cashier of the State Bank nor had any connection with it...the signature beyond all question is fictitious. The signature was not an intentional forgery, but rather a case in which another individual of the period, working in Springfield, Illinois, shared the same name with Abraham Lincoln. This group was purchased from Walter Benjamin's Autograph Firm in 1948 for $65. The items are offered with the June, 1948 issue of The Collector, which features Mary Benjamin's article on the Lincoln signature, plus related correspondence. Overall, an interesting group with excellent provenance. Condition: Crease through top portion of Lincoln photo; Abraham Lincoln signature strong; Robert Todd Lincoln letters and signatures strong as well.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
