A rare 'posthumous' signed Abraham Lincoln document is currently attracting the highest bids among his memorabilia in an online auction that will close on January 16.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has previously reported on the auction, which features more than 100 signed items from the president. The document - a ship's whaling papers - was issued five days after Lincoln's death and is currently selling at $5,069 after attracting 18 bids, despite the auction still being in its early stages.
 Paul Fraser Collectiblers has its own posthumous signature from an assassinated US president |
The four language ships paper was issued to "Obed Shearman, master or commander of the ship called Minerva Smyth…lying at present in the port of New Bedford bound for Atlantic Ocean and laden with provisions, stores and utensils for a whaling voyage."
It is dated April 20, 1865 - five days after Lincoln made his fatal visit to the theatre on April 14. On the date the captain received the papers, the war department had announced that it was offering $100,000 for the capture of Lincoln's killer, John Wilkes Booth, who was still at large.
The partly-printed document features a fine example of Lincoln's signature at its centre and has also been countersigned by his secretary of state, William H Seward. It remains in fine condition, and has been pre-certified by PSA/DNA with a certificate of authenticity from the auction house.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has an outstanding selection of presidential memorabilia for sale. One of our highlights in a John and Jackie Kennedy-signed 'posthumous' Christmas card, that was sent to the family's nanny after the president's assassination in 1963.
