Scott Winfield

Winfield Scott DS Dated 11 Months Prior to his 1852 Presidential Election Defeat

A check signed by American military commander Winfield Scott (1786-1866) as "Winfield Scott", accompanied by a period engraving of Scott.

The unnumbered check was issued in Washington, D.C. on January 15, 1852 in the amount of $20. It was likely issued by Scott to himself, since his initials "W.S." appear in the payee line. With a star-shaped cancellation mark near center. The top third of the check is stained with mounting residue, but the rest of the check is bright and clean. 5.875" x 2.25".

The print was engraved by T.H. Welch of Philadelphia from a daguerreotype by M.A. Root for Graham's Magazine. It shows a grim-faced Scott in military uniform, his double-breasted tunic decorated with heavy epaulettes. Scott's facsimile signature appears below as "Very truly yours, / Winfield Scott." Minor mounting traces verso and isolated foxing, else near fine. 5.25" x 8".

In early 1852, Winfield Scott became one of three Whig Party presidential nominees. He eventually defeated sitting President Millard Fillmore and Secretary of State Daniel Webster to secure the party's nod, but lost the general presidential election to Democratic candidate Franklin Pierce that November. A Northerner with Southern sympathies, Pierce appealed to voters more than the anti-slavery Scott. Scott secured only four states, 42 Electoral College votes, and 44% of the popular vote.

Winfield Scott saw action the War of 1812, the Seminole Wars, the Black Hawk War, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War. During his 53-year-long career in the U.S. military, Scott forged a reputation for reliable and firm command. Scott witnessed, experienced, and participated in many major military events of American history: he was a British prisoner of war in 1812; he supervised the forced removal of the Cherokee; he served as military governor of Mexico City; and he implemented the highly successful blockade of Southern port cities.

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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