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Capturing a milestone in African-American history.
956. Fantastic CDV,
the signing of black troops into formation. Gen. Lorenzo Thomas, Col. Reuben
Delavan Mussey, Capt. Septimus Carncross, Lt. Col. B. Webster Sargent are
represented. Excellent tone/contrast, by J. H. Van StavorenÕs of Nashville.
Minor age, bumps at corners, quite a special – and RARE – photographic
record! (Est. $500-750)
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Jeff DavisÕ Mansion... the Confederate
White House!
957. Printed legend on
verso: ÒThis building is beautifully situated, on the corner of Clay and
12th streets, and is noted as being the residence of the late Chief
Magistrate of the Confederate States. It is now, and has been since the
evacuation, the residence and headquaters of the General commanding this
Department.Ó CDV by George Ennis of Richmond. Excellent. (Est. $200-300)
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Lincoln Visits McClellan.
958. McCREA,
Edward P. (Civil War Lieut. Commander, U.S.N.) Retained Autograph Telegram
Signed, oblong 8vo, written aboard the Navy steamboat Jacob Bell, 9
July 1862, to Col. Campbell at Williamsburgh (Va.). ÒThe President
passed up the river yesterday to confer with Genl. McClellan, returned today.
No news of importance. Have you any.Ó A rare reference to President
LincolnÕs first battlefield conference with his troublesome commander of the
armies, George B. McClellan, who had just ended the ÒSeven DaysÓ of battle
against Lee. McClellanÕs distaste for casualties, overestimation of LeeÕs
force, and delay while awaiting reinforcements made the Seven Days (or
ÒPeninsulaÓ) Campaign less than a spectacular success. Mac accused Sec. of
War Stanton of doing his Òbest to destroy this armyÓ (a remark at first
withheld from Lincoln and Stanton by underlings), and when Lincoln visited
him at HarrisonÕs Landing, VA. during the first week of July, he gave the
President a rather high-handed letter opining that there should be no
fighting against the southern people nor against slavery. The communication
helped seal McClellanÕs removal as head of the army and still later his loss
of the Army of the Potomac, ending his military career. McCrea, the writer of
this telegram, held command of the Jacob Bell from Aug. 22, 1861, the
day it was acquired from New York owners and commissioned for Federal
service. It variously performed river patrol, reconnaissance, guard, escort
and blockade duty along the Potomac, Rappahannock and James rivers, figured
in the Peninsula Campaign, helped defend Washington, and on several occasions
shelled Confederate batteries and captured blockade runners. It sank under
tow in 1865. McCrea went on to serve in the Pacific Squadron and commanded
the U.S.S. Monocacy during the ÒFirst Korean WarÓ (1871). A great
piece of history. (Est.
$500-800)
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959. A dramatic, large mounted albumen, 6 1/2 x 9Ó
overall, of three Union soldiers
in a staged battle scene. One combatant wears an officerÕs sash and wields
his pistol pointing it at two opposing soldiers, as the adversary to the far
left lunges forward with a Bowie knife in hand. Note the black youth
crouched in the back, looking on in amusement! By P. L. Perkins of
Baltimore, his embossed imprint at bottom of board. Loss to lower right
corner, mounting residue on verso of board having once been affixed to an
album. A great work of art! (Est. $1,000-1,500)
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960. Lincoln in Memoriam. The Boston City CouncilÕs Memorial
Address of the Life and Character of Abraham Lincoln, Delivered at the
request of Both Houses of the Congress... by George Bancroft.
(Washington: Government Printing Office, 1865) 70pp., gilt tilted boards and
spine. Condition is overall very good, period ownerÕs stamp to title page,
stirring content with gorgeous frontis portrait. (Est. $50-100)
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961. Printed for the German-Americans. 1865 Lincoln biography
in German: Julius Wurzberger (translated by Phoebe Ann Hanaford), Abraham
Lincoln. Sein Leben und Seine Offentlichen Dienste. New York, Haasis
& Lubrecht, 1865, 189pp. (M-3780) One of just 5,000 copies printed, minor
wear to corners, chipping to edges of spine, otherwise in excellent
condition. Of the very few to remain extant, this is the cleanest copy to be
found; the interior pages appear quite fresh. These issuances articulate the
important role in the Lincoln story played by German immigrants... people
like LincolnÕs close friend and advisor Carl Shurz. (Est. $150-200)
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962. The Memorial Addresses for Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley
delivered respectively by George Bancroft, James G. Blaine, John Hay:
Memorial Addresses Delivered Before the Two Houses of Congress on the Life
and Character of Abraham Lincoln James A. Garfield, William McKinley...
(Washington: Government Printing Office, 1903) 246pp. large 4to. in
gilt-titled boards and spine. Condition is overall very good with expected
rubbing and spine faults. Printed on heavy rag paper, this is the ultimate
mourning volume to the first three presidents to be assassinated –
sadly, one more would follow.
(Est. $80-120)
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963. Rare Gallery Card. 3 x 4Ó photo by Gardner &
Gibson, 1862 copyright. This scarce image pictures General HookerÕs staff in
a Òstaged roughhousingÓ scene. The men are identified from left as
Òunidentified, Col. Benjamin C. Ludlow, Lt. Col. Joseph Dickinson, Captain
Ulric Dahlgren, Lt. Ronald S. Mackenzie, Lt. Col. Edward R. Warner, Major
Daniel Webster Flagler, Captain Henry Russell, and Captain John R. Rose. 4
1/2 x 6Ó mount has wear and faults, albumen fine. (Est. $400-600)
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Inscribed to his grandson the week before
the boy turned 21. 964. LINCOLN,
Robert Todd. Inscribed sepia-toned photograph, archival matted to 5 1/4 x
9Ó (sight), 7 1/2 x 10 1/2Ó overall, some foxing and old mat burns as shown,
one through beard, on board with embossed Harris & Ewing Washington, D.C.
imprint. ÒTo Lincoln Isham from his appreciative Grandfather. Robert T.
Lincoln. April 30, 1913.Ó Lincoln ÒLincÓ Isham (1892 -1971) was one of
three great-grandchildren of Abraham Lincoln - the only child of Mary
"Mamie" Lincoln, one of RobertÕs three children. A Harvard dropout, it is said that he
played some role in secret work for the government during the Second World
War. In 1919 he married Leahalma "Lea" Correa, a New York ÒSociety
Girl of Spanish DescentÓ, and helped raise her daughter, Frances Mantley.
Isham lived in Vermont enjoying the benefit of a sizable family trust. (Est. $1,500-2,000)
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965. Late 19th century group of five (5) Lincoln cabinet cards;
three by Stalee of Washington, one by J. Kirk. Some typical age, a few hard
portraits to source. (Est. $400-600)
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966. Very rare Stephen Douglas postal-used memorial cover.
Woodcut portrait of Douglas by Baker, inscribed ÒTell them to obey the
Laws and support the Constitution of the United States.Ó Postmarked
Chicago, IL Oct. 21 [n.y.], likely 1861. Light wear, neatly opened at left
edge. (Est. $200-300)
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967. Likely uniqueÉ certainly a supreme rarity not found in
Wolcott! Postal-used patriotic cover ÒThe Rose of WashingtonÓ red and
blue design with Gen. McClellan, Washington, the Capitol Dome, ornate design.
CDS likely Baltimore or Frederick, MD or BanksÕ Division, tying #65 3-cent
rose, addressed to a Mrs. Sarah E. Gillam of Poland, Herkimer Co., NY.
Imprint at bottom ÒSold by J.S. Morrow, Washington & Baltimore.Ó A
stunning and very scarce design, unlisted in Wolcott. A similar cover, but
with no postmark and stamp not tied, was offered in the famous Bischel sale
as the Òonly recorded example.Ó WellÉ if you missed out on that example, here
you go! (Est. $500-800)
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968. A handsome pair of postal-used patriotic covers: ÒNow and
ForeverÓ printed in red and blue on tan cover, postal-used, addressed to
Harrisburg, PA, Oct. 9 (1862), postmark and 3-cent rose with circle-grid
cancel, docketed at left. Also, ÒIrrepressible ConflictÓ, in blue and red,
addressed to Poland, NY with VF postmark (Tim hates the term Òplug canceledÓ
so we wonÕt use it!) Williamsport, MD. Mar. 11 (1862) with 3-cent rose
tied. (Est.
$200-300)
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969. ÒThe War for the UnionÓ red and blue patriotic cover with
McClellan, hat raised, reviewing his troops: ÒStand by me, and IÕll stand by
you.Ó Postal-used, addressed to East Windom, PA from W. Burlington, PA,
canceled #65 3-cent rose, accompanied by 1-page letter on similar patriotic
stationery, small loss to top corner, content related to a teaching position
and pay due. A fine Civil War cover. (Est. $100-200)
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Grant orders Meade to prepare defenses... in
the unlikely event Lee would attempt a flanking move.
970. GRANT,
Ulysses S. (1822-85) War
date Autograph Letter Signed, "U. S. Grant Lt. Gen." in pencil, 1p.
4 1/4 x 7", Washington, Apr. 20, 1864 to Major General George Meade
asking the victor of Gettysburg to "Set Engineers to building
Blockhouses at all the bridges between Bull Run & the Rappahannock both
included. They should be put up with all rapidity." The series of
blockhouses were to provide defensive cover for the Army of the Potomac's
planned advance toward Richmond which began on May 3, 1864. In the event that
Lee attempted to flank Grant's offensive, he would not have been able to
advance too far north. The blockhouses would have also helped secure the
railroad between Washington, Manassas and Brandy Station: a critical route to
help supply Grant's massive army. Matted and framed with a colored period
engraving of Grant. Fine condition. Not examined out of frame. (Est. $4,000-4,500)
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972. ÒRepublican Candidates.Ó Unlisted 1860 campaign ribbon, 2 1/2 x
6Ó black on red silk, 1Ó frayed separation at top, darkening at bottom edge,
a fine relic of the most important political contest in American history!
(Est. $1,500-1,800)
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973. [Civil War Playing Cards] A full set of
fifty-two (52) ÒUNION PLAYING CARDSÓ housed in its original illustrated and
titled cardboard box. Produced by American Playing Cards of New York, the
cards used ÒNATIONAL EMBLEMS!!Ó as opposed to ÒFOREIGN EMBLEMS USED LONG
ENOUGH IN U.S.Ó To that end, Columbia has become queen and a Union generals,
kings and a major as a jack while shields, flags, eagles and stars replace
the traditional hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs. Copy on the box notes the
companyÕs confidence, Ò...the introduction of NATIONAL EMBLEMS in the
place of Foreign, in Playing Cards, will be hailed with delight by the
American People, take pleasure in presenting the UNION PLAYING CARDS. As the
first genuine American Cards ever produced, in the fullest confidence that
the time is not far distant when they will be the leading Card in the
American market...Ó Box bears rubbing at corners and other expected wear.
Cards show only minor signs of use, but are in very fine condition, still
crisp and unbent. One of the better examples of this popular set encountered.
(The last complete set to sell realized more than $1,500 several years ago.)
(Est. $1,000-1,500)
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Reporting Bull Run casualties to Col.
Ruggles.
974. [Second
Manassas–Second Bull Run] Interesting war-date ADS 1p. 5x8"
[n.p. Bull Run vicinity, Aug. 1862] to Union Col. George David Ruggles, Chief
of Staff for General John Pope commanding the Army of the Potomac. In full:
ÒCol. Ruggles There has been heavy cannonading at 'Bull Run' nearly all day
Have not learned the result. We killed 50 day before yesterday Lost 40 Killed
30 wounded W. J. Green 28/56 DR Lieut. Col. comdg.Ó Ruggles (1833-1904)
became aide-de-camp to Pope that very month. The Second Battle of Bull Run,
or, as it was called by the Confederacy, the Battle of Second Manassas, was
fought August 28–30, 1862 with LeeÕs Army of Northern Virginia up
against Maj. Gen. John Pope's Army of Virginia. On August 29, Pope launched a
full assault on positions held by Confederate Maj. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall"
Jackson resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. C.S.A. General
Longstreet arrived the following day with sizable reinforcements and mounted
the largest frontal assault by the Confederacy in the history of the war. The
victory over Union forces had Lincoln tell Cabinet Member Gideon Welles
"We had the enemy in the hollow of our hands... if our generals, who are
vexed with Pope, had done their duty. All of our present difficulties and
reverses have been brought upon
us by these quarrels of the generals..." (Est. $500-800)
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975. J.A.W. Pittman stereoview: ÒLincoln's Home, Springfield
Illinois.Ó Very unusual side view of the house, photographed for the National Lincoln Monument in 1878 to
bring attention to the desperate need for repair work to be done. The history
of the home is printed on verso: Ò...Not having received any repairs since
Mr. Lincoln became President, the indications of neglect and decay are
plainly visible. It ought to be under the control of some voluntary society,
placed in good repair, and kept as a memorial of the martyred President.Ó
Slight wearing of the corners otherwise in great condition. ( Est. $100-150)
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976. Lincoln-Johnson back-to-back ferrotype badge, AL-1864-97 in
gilt brass. The Lincoln side is exceptionally nice. It is in sharp focus,
bold with excellent contrast. It does have a small black mark to the left of
Lincoln's head and a tiny emulsion bubble at the very bottom, with some
concavity which has no effect on presentation, emulsion is smooth and glossy.
The Johnson side exhibits extensive damage. (Est. $300-400)
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977. Grant ferrotype pin, USG-1868-91, brass shell 20mm. Very
little emulsion loss on top edges otherwise great contrast, detail, with pin
intact.
(Est. $200-250)
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978. Peter Cooper figural bone pipe. 2 1/4Ó tall x 1 1/4Ó wide x 1 3/4Ó deep. Cooper
(1791-1883) was a New York businessman, philanthropist, and 1876 presidential
candidate on the Greenback ticket. He donated the funds to establish the
Cooper Union (Cooper Institute), a free educational program in New York City
combining the study of science with its practical application. We believe the
artist is Auguste Peyrau. This French artist was a student and contemporary
of Thomas Nast - his work closely resembles that of the famous caricaturist.
Some years back, a small collection of such pipes were offered on eBay and
were privately sold to an individual who claimed he was doing a book on
Peyrau (a likely story, as this book has yet to materialize!) Each of the
dozen or so pipes depicted famous politicians: Grant, Ben Butler, and others.
We would date those pipes and this one as circa 1870-1880. Peyrau also made a
figural bronze of Grant & Colfax for their inauguration, an example owned
by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Peyrau was obviously an accomplished
artist whose work merits greater recognition. Excellent, for the Arby
Rolband or Peter Cooper collector.
(Est. $400-600)
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979. A bold, striking pair. Two (2) Lincoln
photographs published from the original negatives owned by noted dealer King
V. Hostick during the 1950s. Taken June 3, 1860 by Alexander Hesler, these
silver prints measure 11 x 13 1/2Ó affixed to heavy rag boards. The boards have been
trimmed-down almost to the images such that the ÒHerbert George Studio.
Springfield, ILÓ imprint is lost.
Nonetheless, these have great tone and detail. These are perennial
collector favorites that would frame quite well! Excellent condition. (Est. $600-800)
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An item with special provenance.
[As
collectors, we share a much-loved responsibility as links in a
chain-of-ownership; helping to preserve the material culture we pursue. In
addition to the objects, we collect the accompanying stories and history
– often, a necessary component reveals those who precede us in the
chain – the provenance. Lot #980 was treasured by a fellow Rail
Splitter, Richard Rosenblatt (1943-2004). Known to those in the music
industry as Ritchie Cordell, he wrote such iconic hits of the Ô60s as ÒMony,
MonyÓ and ÒCrystal Blue PersuasionÓ working with Tommy James and the
Shondells, and stayed active later producing Joan JettÕs ÒI Love Rock and
Roll.Ó A man of infinite talent,
he loved history, Lincoln, and story-telling. He will be missed.]
980. Ninth-plate
tintype in a patriotic mat with flags, cannons, and motto ÒThe Union Now
and Forever.Ó Under glass, it is housed in a thermoplastic frame designed
to adorn a special place. (A small hole behind the top bevel of the frame
suggests it once enjoyed a loop or clasp to hang from a wall.) The photo has
light red tinting to the cheeks, is bold, and appears clean. (Est. $1,500-2,500)
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Kil-Cavalry KilpatrickÕs commission as Brigadier-General signed
by Abraham Lincoln and Edwin Stanton. 981. LINCOLN,
Abraham. D.S., folio vellum, May 11, 1864, effective date of promotion
June 13, 1863. Attached blue seal of the War Office, exceptional quality and
condition. Hugh Judson Kilpatrick (1836-1881) graduated from the United
States Military Academy in 1861, just after the start of the war, and was
commissioned a second lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Artillery. Within three days
he was a captain in the 5th New York Infantry (ÒDuryŽeÕs ZouavesÓ).
Kilpatrick was the first United States Army officer to be wounded in the
Civil War, struck in the thigh by canister fire while leading a company at
the Battle of Big Bethel, June 10, 1861. By September 25 he was a lieutenant
colonel, now in the 2nd New York Cavalry, which he helped to raise, and it
was the mounted arm that brought him fame and infamy. In the Second Battle of
Bull Run in August 1862, he ordered a foolish twilight cavalry charge the
first evening of the battle, losing a full squadron of troopers. Nevertheless,
he was promoted to full colonel on December 6. His men had little love for
his manner and his willingness to exhaust men and horses and to order
suicidal mounted cavalry charges. (The rifled muskets introduced to warfare
in the 1850s made the historic cavalry charge essentially an anachronism.
CavalryÕs role shrank primarily to screening, raiding, and reconnaissance.)
The widespread nickname they used for Kilpatrick was ÒKill CavalryÓ. He also
had a bad reputation with others in the Army. His camps were poorly
maintained and frequented by prostitutes, often visiting Kilpatrick himself.
He was jailed in 1862 on charges of corruption, accused of selling captured
Confederate goods for personal gain. He was jailed again for a drunken spree
in Washington, D.C., and for allegedly accepting bribes in the procurement of
horses for his command. In the Chancellorsville Campaign in May 1863,
Division Commander General StonemanÕs cavalry was ordered to swing deeply
behind Gen. Robert E. LeeÕs army and destroy railroads and supplies.
Kilpatrick did just that, with gusto. Although the corps failed to distract
Lee as intended, Kilpatrick achieved fame by aggressively capturing wagons,
burning bridges, and riding around Lee, almost to the outskirts of Richmond,
Virginia. At the beginning of the Gettysburg Campaign, on June 9, 1863,
Kilpatrick fought at Brandy Station, the largest cavalry battle of the war.
He received his brigadier generalÕs star on June 13. On June 30, he clashed
briefly with J.E.B. StuartÕs cavalry at Hanover, Pennsylvania, but then
proceeded on a wild goose chase in pursuit of Stuart, rather than fulfilling
his mission of intelligence gathering. Just before the start of Lt. Gen.
Ulysses S. GrantÕs Overland Campaign in the spring of 1864, Kilpatrick conducted
a raid toward Richmond and through the Virginia Peninsula, hoping to rescue
Union prisoners of war held at Belle Isle and in Libby Prison. He destroyed
much property and had many encounters with the enemy, but was unsuccessful in
his aims. And one of his brigade commanders, Col. Ulric Dahlgren, son of Rear
Admiral John Adolph Dalhgren, was killed in the process. Papers found on the
body of Dahlgren shortly after his death contained orders for an
assassination plot against Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The
discovery and publication of the Dahlgren Papers sparked an international
controversy. The ÒKilpatrick-DahlgrenÓ expedition was such a fiasco that
Kilpatrick found he was no longer welcome in the Eastern Theater. He
transferred west to command the 3rd Division of the Cavalry Corps of the Army
of the Cumberland, under Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman. Summing up
Judson Kilpatrick in 1864, Sherman said ÒI know that Kilpatrick is a hell of
a damned fool, but I want just that sort of man to command my cavalry on this
expedition.Ó Starting in May 1864, Kilpatrick rode in the Atlanta Campaign.
On May 13, he was severely wounded in the thigh at the Battle of Resaca and
his injuries kept him out of the field until late July. He had considerable
success raiding behind Confederate lines, tearing up railroads, and at one
point rode his division completely around the enemy positions in Atlanta.
Kilpatrick continued with Sherman through his March to the Sea to Savannah
and north in the Carolinas Campaign. He delighted in destroying Southern
property. On two occasions his coarse personal instincts betrayed him:
Confederate cavalry under the command of Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton raided his
camp while he was in bed with a young Southern woman he had met while going through
Columbia, and, at the Battle of MonroeÕs Crossroads, he was forced to flee
for his life in his underclothes until his troops could reform. Kilpatrick
became active in politics as a Republican and in 1880 was an unsuccessful
candidate for the U.S. Congress from New Jersey. Artist and socialite Gloria
Vanderbilt is Hugh Judson KilpatrickÕs great-granddaughter. Another prominent
descendant is CNN newsman Anderson Cooper, KilpatrickÕs
great-great-grandson. (Est.
$10,000-15,000)
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Lincoln writes himself a check to pay for
land owned by Mary's aunt.
982. LINCOLN, Abraham. Partly
printed check signed "A. Lincoln", filled out in his handwriting to
the order of "Self for Mrs. Bullock" in the amount of $120.91 and
dated April 17, 1860. The check, drawn on the Springfield Marine and Fire
Insurance Company, is printed in blue and bears a cartouche of a steamboat
and the imprint of Richards & Smith. Canceled spindle hole at left,
cross-hatch cancel through signature, tiny loss at bottom blank margin. The
payee, Maria Bullock of Lexington, Kentucky, was an aunt of Mary Todd
Lincoln. (Mary referenced her Aunt in one of the earliest extant letters she
wrote to her husband - while Abe served as a Congressman in 1848.) Mrs.
Bullock owned considerable property around Springfield and her nephew-in-law
handled her business affairs there as early as June 1855, selling farmland
and town lots on her behalf. In December 1859, Lincoln wrote her that he had
trouble collecting for some of the real estate, and suggested that he should
buy the debts from her. This check represents funds for that purpose. An
interesting and unusually personal check, written at a crucial moment in
Lincoln's life: earlier this month he had made his last court appearance in
Chicago, winning the so-called "Sandbar Case" (which involved
accreted real estate on the shore of Lake Michigan). But most of his time was
being devoted to political correspondence and interviews. He would be
nominated for the presidency of the United States just a month after this
check was written. Great association; a handsome financial and personal
relic. (Est.
$12,000-15,000)
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