Lot 134

[Lincoln, Abraham]. A group of over 25 letters, documents and imprints associated with Lincoln and his assassination.

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[Lincoln, Abraham]. A group of over 25 letters, documents and imprints associated with Lincoln and his assassination.

Estimate: $400 - $600

Current Bid: $200

(2 Bids)

by Freeman’s
July 17, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
1550 W Carroll Avenue
Suite 106
Chicago, IL, US 60607

[Lincoln, Abraham]. A group of over 25 letters, documents and imprints associated with Lincoln and his assassination.

Lot comprised of 25+ items. Documents, letters and imprints in good condition overall, with occasional toning, soiling, folds, and wear to margins. Includes the following highlights:

McCallum, Daniel (1815-1878). 3 items, including partially printed "Special Order" issued by order of Daniel C. McCallum. Assistant Quartermaster's Office, US Military Railroad Department, Military Division of the Mississippi. Nashville, TN, 3 January 1865. The order indicates that J. Ballard, Railroad Employee, and four men will proceed without delay to Nashville, TN, on business connected with the US Military Railroads (toning, folds, with some separation at fold lines). With partially printed pass for J. Ballard affixed to verso. Partially printed "Special Order" issued by order of Daniel C. McCallum. Quartermaster's Office of the US Military Railroads, Military Division of the Mississippi. Nashville, TN, 1 February 1865. The order indicates that the Quartermaster's Department will furnish transportation for George Meyers. With partially printed pass for J. Meyers affixed to verso. Also enclosed is a CDV of Daniel McCallum. Uncredited. In 1865, McCallum participated in the organization of the funeral and burial of Lincoln.

Townsend, E.D. (1817-1893). 5 items, including partially printed "Special Orders" issued by the War Department, Assistant General's Office, Washington 7 January 1863, signed by Townsend. The document indicates that officers are honorably discharged on account of disability. Manuscript document regarding duplicate receipts, signed by Townsend, War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, 20 June 1865. Partially printed General Orders No. 196, War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, 29 June 1863, signed by Townsend. Two partially printed General Orders issued by Townsend (unsigned), the first dated 17 June 1863, announcing that Major George L. Stearns would serve as Recruiting Commissioner for the US Colored Trips. The second dated 24 November 1865, states, "All persons claiming reward for the apprehension of John Wilkes Booth, Lewis Payne, G.A. Atzerodt, and David E. Herold, and Jefferson Davis, or either of them, are notified to file their claims and their proofs with the Adjutant General..." The order also states that "The rewards offered for the arrest of Jacob Thompson, Beverly Tucker, George N. Sanders, William G. Cleary, and John H. Surratt are revoked."

Pierrepont, Edwards (1817-1892). ALS, personal note to an unknown recipient, 22 May 1882. In 1867, Pierrepont conducted the case for the government against John H. Surratt, indicted as an accomplice in the murder of Lincoln. -- Cox, Walter Smith (1826-1902). Partially printed check signed, Georgetown, DC, 3 January 1887. An American attorney and judge, Cox defended Samuel Arnold and Michael O'Laughlin during the murder trial of the conspirators to Lincoln's assassination. -- Seward, Frederick W. (1830-1915). ALS, Washington, 1 July 1861. A letter of introduction for his brother-in-law Lt. John S. Wharton to his new commander, then Colonel of the 14th US Infantry Charles P. Stone. Seward was a Civil War-era journalist, diplomat, and son of Lincoln's Secretary of State William H. Seward. -- Hartranft, John F. (1830-1889). Partially printed check signed, issued by the Auditor General's Office of Pennsylvania, 1 December 1865. In the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination, Hartranft was appointed both commanding officer of the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C., and as a special provost marshal during the trial of those accused in the Lincoln assassination. -- Holt, Joseph (1807-1894). 2 items, including ALS, Washington, 22 February 1888. 1 1/2 pp letter in which he responds to someone regarding a request for autographs or manuscripts, which he does not possess. Manuscript document signed by Holt, Washington, DC, 21 December 1865. "War Department, Bureau of Military Justice" letterhead. Following Lincoln's assassination, as Judge Advocate General of the Army, Holt was the chief prosecutor in the trial of the accused Lincoln conspirators before a military commission chaired by General David Hunter. -- Bingham, John A. (1815-1900). Legal ANS signed by Bingham as "Atty. for Dept." Bingham served as special judge advocate in the trial of the conspirators against the life of Lincoln. -- Eaton (1806-1877). Partially printed "Invoice of Subsistence Stores Transferred" signed by Eaton, New York, 30 March 1863. -- Vincent, Thomas M. (1832-1909). Partially printed "Treasury Department" document docketed on verso by Vincent, January 1868. Brigadier General Vincent witnessed Lincoln's death on the morning of 15 April 1865, and recorded his experiences, which were later published. -- Taylor, Tom (1817-1880). ALS, "Local Government Act Office, Richmond Terrace, Whitehall, S.W.," 24 May ?. 2 pp. (ink spots throughout). English playwright and editor Taylor authored Our American Cousin. -- Partially printed receipt for "crape" purchased by "Col. Long," bought from Johnson & Sutton, Washington, 17 April 1865. Possibly for mourning crape to be worn following Lincoln's death. -- 2 programs, including "Ford's Grand Opera House," May 1890, and "Ford's Bill of the Play," 1898 (toning, folds, some chipping and wear to margins). -- 9 3/4 x 6 1/4 in. engraving of Maj. Gen. A.P. Howe, produced by A.H. Ritchie.
Howe was one of nine US general officers designated to Lincoln's Honor Guard, which watched over the president's remains and accompanied the funeral train to Springfield, Illinois, from 21 April to 4 May 1865. -- 2 copies of Trial of the Conspirators for the Assassination of President Lincoln, & Argument of John A. Bingham, Special Judge Advocate...Washington: Government Printing Office, 1865. 8 3/4 x 5 3/4 in., 122pp. First copy with front paper cover (cover worn with chipping, creasing, soiling, and toning, interior pages overall very good). Second copy lacking paper wrappers (interior pages overall very good, with some wear to edges).
Estate of David O'Reilly, Old Bridge, New Jersey
This lot is located in Chicago.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000