blueyes29
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posted on September 14, 2003 02:05:38 PM new
I've got a letter dated October 25, 1860. It seems to be from members of Lincoln's election folks. The writers state they are sending "20 Lincoln ...(can't read the word)...in advance of the election, hoping you may be able to use them to good advantage." The letter ends with "On that day, the great political contest of 1860 will terminate and the destinies of our country be fixed for centuries to come." There are 8 names at the end, apparently written by the writer of the letter. Does anyone have any idea as to the value of this letter? The paper has an embossed mark in the upper left hand corner. Also, someone in the intervening years has written some figures, in pencil, on the top. Thanks for any help or for giving me someplace I could research this.
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sparkz
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posted on September 14, 2003 02:17:20 PM new
It was written in 1860 and you just now got it? Gosh, the Post Office is getting slower every day.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
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TheFamilyBiz
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posted on September 14, 2003 04:04:57 PM new
Seriously - check with Sotheby's or Christies in NYC. Just call them and you can send images of the original if they request them....
Had a friend locate a letter from Jeffereson on the separation of church and state -- and Christies valued it at $700K. Put it up for auction and only got it up to $550K. Since it was found on behalf of a non-profit organization as they were cleaning out the stuff in a donated house (full of crap) - they had set a reserve of $600K - AND DIDN'T SELL IT!!!! They're hoping another sale in a few months will bring more than the $550K. I personally would have sold it for $550K and put the money in the bank for the 6-12 months they're hoping to get just $50K more out of it...
Wayne
Trying to Make a Difference - One Satisfied Customer at a Time....
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Roadsmith
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posted on September 14, 2003 04:09:46 PM new
Good advice here. I'd be very excited to own this letter.
___________________________________
SMILE ANYWAY!
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blueyes29
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posted on September 14, 2003 04:26:00 PM new
Thanks...I'll give one of them a call tomorrow. Wouldn't it be wonderful if this letter were worth a bundle? I'd be doing the "happy dance" for sure! Thanks for the advice...
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mipakaco
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posted on September 14, 2003 08:48:28 PM new
blueyes- your letter says they are sending 20 Lincoln "Tickets"
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blueyes29
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posted on September 15, 2003 09:07:31 PM new
Thanks...that's what I thought it was too but the "k" looked kind of funny...but it I makes sense in that context.
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TheFamilyBiz
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posted on September 16, 2003 05:49:25 AM new
Tell us if Christies or Sothebys had any interest in valuation... We're anxious to hear.
Wayne
Trying to Make a Difference - One Satisfied Customer at a Time....
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AuctionAce
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posted on September 16, 2003 10:21:09 AM new
My gut feeling is there are a lot of old letters that mention Lincoln but the really valuable letters are the ones with a verified Lincoln signature. I'd guestimate the value of the letter at roughly $200-$300.
-------------- sig file ----------- President John F. Kennedy said, "There are three things which are real: God, human folly and laughter. The first two are beyond our comprehension, so we must do what we can with the third."
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sanmar
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posted on September 16, 2003 12:41:26 PM new
You can also go to Google & search.Also the Smithsonian will also give you values.
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dacreson
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posted on September 16, 2003 03:17:14 PM new
I have experience in this area. The key is to research it to death. Research those names etc. I two years ago had some common Italian stampless covers but through research found one was really from Malta in the 1600 era was Worth and sold for a fortune. Don't sell in haste and good fine..... David
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lowprofile
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posted on September 16, 2003 04:16:41 PM new
Lincoln’s men left no detail unattended in their pursuit of this strategy. They made certain that Seward’s New Yorkers were seated far from other critical delegations with whom they might collaborate. They printed hundreds of counterfeit tickets and distributed them to Lincoln supporters with instructions to show up early--in order to displace Seward’s supporters.
http://members.tripod.com/~greatamericanhistory/gr02010.htm
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blueyes29
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posted on September 17, 2003 03:35:24 PM new
Thanks all...terrific suggestions/thoughts! I called Sotheby's...they said I could send photos through e-mail and they'd let me know if it met their auction minimum of $5,000. I don't think it's worth that much but will send photos and at least get some idea. I'll post results later...and thanks to all who helped...appreciate it! Certainly would have been nice if Abe had taken the time to have put a little note on this letter encouraging everyone to work hard for his election!
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Twelvepole
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posted on September 17, 2003 04:46:19 PM new
Please let keep us informed... as a history buff this is pretty interesting.
AIN'T LIFE GRAND... 
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blueyes29
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posted on September 17, 2003 09:59:01 PM new
Will do, twelvepole...Sotheby's said it would take a couple of weeks...so stay tuned!
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