Abraham Lincoln Signed Pardons: Prices Realized & Auction Examples

To auction, sell or consign your Abraham Lincoln signed pardon, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).

What Kind of Pardons Did Abraham Lincoln Sign?

Abraham Lincoln was known for issuing over 300 pardons during his presidential term. He’s remembered for having a compassionate approach to military justice and many Confederate soldiers were granted amnesty if they took an oath to support the Union. Presidential pardons between George Washington and Grover Cleveland’s first term were fully handwritten by the president. After that pardons were prepared by administrative staff and only required the president’s signature.

Some of the Abraham Lincoln Signed Pardons We Sold:

Endorsement Signed from 1864 — Sold for $7,500

Abraham Lincoln autograph endorsement signed as President, dated 22 April 1864 almost exactly three years after the Civil War began. Lincoln issues amnesty to a Confederate soldier according to the Proclamation of Amnesty on 8 December 1863, where Confederates would be given amnesty if they took the oath of allegiance to the United States. Lincoln handwrites, ”Let the within named William H. Murray, take the oath of Dec. 8th and be discharged. / A. Lincoln / April 22, 1864”. Above Lincoln’s endorsement is a handwritten statement by Republican Tennessee Congressman Horace Maynard, recommending the discharge of Mr. Murray. Endorsement measures 4.875” x 4.75”. Fold and very minor smudging, overall in very good plus condition with bold handwriting.

Signed Endorsement Issuing Amnesty to Confederate Soldier — Sold for $7,500

Abraham Lincoln autograph endorsement signed as President, dated 6 March 1865, issuing amnesty to a Confederate soldier according to the Proclamation of Amnesty on 8 December 1863, where Confederates would be given amnesty if they took the oath of allegiance to the United States. Lincoln hand writes, ”Let this man take the oath of Dec. 8, 1863 & be discharged- / A. Lincoln / March 6, 1865”. Endorsement measures 7.75” x 3.75”. Irregular top edge and some buckling to paper. Overall very good plus condition with bold handwriting.

Endorsement is accompanied by an interesting letter from the wife of the Confederate soldier who received the endorsement. Dated 28 February 1865, letter to Lincoln reads in part, ”At the time this rebellion broke out my husband and I were living in New Orleans, and as you are well aware it was almost impossible for a man to avoid entering the Confederate Army…those who made life miserable to anyone who did not espouse secession, I suppose caused my husband Jonathan Gunsenhousir to enter the ranks of the enemy, as Sergeant of Co. H 14th Regt. La. Inf…my husband i s a good man – if a rebel can be…” Letter measures 7.75” x 9.875”.

Signed Pardon of Two Confederate POWs — Sold for $7,151

Autograph endorsement signed “A. Lincoln” as President dated 23 January 1864, pardoning and discharging two Kentucky Confederate Prisoners of War confined at the notorious Camp Douglas prison. As prescribed in Lincoln’s proclamation issued six weeks earlier, “…all persons who have…participated in the existing rebellion…a full pardon is hereby granted to them, with restoration of all rights of property, except as to slaves, who have taken oaths of allegiance to the United States.” Document in Lincoln’s hand reads in full, “Let the persons above named, take the oath of Dec. 8, and be discharged. A. Lincoln. Jan. 23, 1864.” On verso of this 8″ x 12.25″ lined sheet reads the particulars of the two men John M. Smith and Samuel B. Lyons, who have signed the document along with a notary public. During their time at Camp Douglas, which experienced the highest casualty rate of any prison — Union or Confederate — during the war, temperatures sank to 25 degrees below zero with prisoners often forced to sleep outside in tents. Raised seal at lower left of page with POW’s signatures. Evidence of a line erasure above President Lincoln’s endorsement, ostensibly listing the names of the two prisoners of war. Expertly strengthened at horizontal folds and silked for preservation. Very good condition.

Endorsement Signed as President — Sold for $6,806

Abraham Lincoln autograph endorsement signed as President, dated 6 February 1865, issuing amnesty to a Confederate soldier according to the Proclamation of Amnesty on 8 December 1863, where Confederates would be given amnesty if they took the oath of allegiance to the United States. Lincoln hand writes, ”Let this man take the oath of Dec. 8, 1863 & be discharged. / A. Lincoln / Feb. 6, 1865”. Visible portion of endorsement measures 3.625” x 2.25”, matted and framed with a portrait of Lincoln to a size of 21.625” x 20.375”. Not examined out of frame; some showthrough of writing on verso, overall in very good condition with bold handwriting.

Signed Note Pardoning a Former Confederate — Sold for $6,250

Abraham Lincoln autograph note signed as President. Lincoln’s note reads in full, “Let this man be discharged on taking the oath of Dec. 8, 1863. / A. Lincoln / Dec. 8, 1864″. Single ruled sheet measures 3″ x 2.25″. Mounted and framed with an engraving of Lincoln to an overall size of 7.5″ x 11.5”. Signed note has not been removed from frame for inspection but appears to be near fine save for toning, fading, a small tear near the “a” in “oath” and some irregularity to the right edge. A handsome note from the last year of Lincoln’s extraordinary life.

Endorsement Signed as President — Sold for $6,250

Abraham Lincoln autograph endorsement signed as President, dated 5 January 1865, issuing amnesty to a Confederate soldier according to the Proclamation of Amnesty on 8 December 1863, where Confederates would be given amnesty if they took the oath of allegiance to the United States. Lincoln hand writes, “Let this man take the oath of Dec. 8, 1863 & be discharged. / A. Lincoln / Jan. 5, 1865″. Endorsement measures 3.25″ x 3”. Period writing to verso. Overall very good condition. Bold writing and signature by Lincoln.

Endorsement Signed as President — Sold for $6,035

Abraham Lincoln autograph endorsement signed as President, dated 17 March 1865, issuing amnesty to a Confederate soldier according to the Proclamation of Amnesty on 8 December 1863, where Confederates would be given amnesty if they took the oath of allegiance to the United States. Lincoln hand writes, “Let this man take the oath of Dec. 8, 1863 & be discharged. / A. Lincoln / March 17, 1865″. Clipped endorsement measures approximately 2.75″ x 1.5”. Period writing and piece of mounting tape to verso. Overall very good condition. Bold writing and signature by Lincoln.

Signed Endorsement Issuing Amnesty to a Confederate Soldier — Sold for $6,000

Abraham Lincoln autograph endorsement signed as President, dated 13 August 1864, issuing amnesty to a Confederate soldier according to the Proclamation of Amnesty of 8 December 1863. Here, Lincoln incorrectly dates the amnesty as 1864, handwriting, ”Let this man take the oath of Dec. 8, 1864 and be discharged. / A. Lincoln / Aug. 13, 1864”. Slip measures 3.75” x 3”. Toning, smudge to a few words and mounting tape to verso. Overall very good condition with an unusual mistake by Lincoln.

Thanks for stopping by to learn about some of the Abraham Lincoln signed pardons we sold! Please contact us if you have any questions or would like a free appraisal. Learn how to sell your Abraham Lincoln autograph.

FAQs

What is the difference between an Abraham Lincoln signed pardon and a signed document?
An Abraham Lincoln pardon is written in his hand and also signed by him. An Abraham Lincoln document is not necessarily handwritten by him, but contains his autograph. Both a pardon and signed document contain historical context.

View some of the other Lincoln signed documents we’ve sold at Nate D. Sanders Auctions.

How much is my Abraham Lincoln signed pardon worth?
The value of your pardon depends on the condition and the handwritten word or phrase.