Abraham Lincoln Free Frank Addressed By Wife Mary, A Superb Combo Signed the Date of the Emancipation of Slavery in DC!

A transmittal cover free franked "A. Lincoln", addressed in the hand of his wife Mary Todd Lincoln, to Mrs. Dr. Shearer in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. Measuring 5.25" x 6.75", Washington, D.C., dated April 16, 1862, a historic date that saw The District of Columbia Emancipation Act signed by President Lincoln. The free frank has flattened mail folds and expected wear, soiling, and uneven toning. Minor loss at the edges, not affecting any text. With a bold and clear signature.

On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill ending slavery in the District of Columbia. Passage of this law came 8 1/2 months before President Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation. The act brought to a conclusion decades of agitation aimed at ending what antislavery advocates called "the national shame" of slavery in the nation's capital. It provided for immediate emancipation, compensation to former owners who were loyal to the Union of up to $300 for each freed slave, voluntary colonization of former slaves to locations outside the United States, and payments of up to $100 for each person choosing emigration. Over the next 9 months, the Board of Commissioners appointed to administer the act approved 930 petitions, completely or in part, from former owners for the freedom of 2,989 former slaves.

The free frank sports a beautiful bold signature of President Lincoln, but what makes this particular item incredibly special is not only the incredible date with a tie to the end of slavery in D.C., but that the address was penned in the hand of Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd. We thorougly searched auction records and could find only one similar piece that sold. In 2008 RR sold a free frank signed by Lincoln and penned in the hand of Mary Todd, but also signed "Mrs Lincoln" for $14,650.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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