Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln Signed Naval Commission. One partially printed page of vellum, 13 5/8 x 17 inches; Washington; February 21, 1863. A commission for James G. Maxwell, appointed "Lieutenant Commander in the Navy on the Active List from the 16th July 1862." Signed, "Abraham Lincoln" as President and countersigned by Gideon Welles as Secretary of the Navy. Red embossed paper seal at bottom center with patriotic vignettes at the top and bottom. Docketed at lower left margin.

James Geddes Maxwell (1834-1867) was a career officer in the United States Navy and among the first officers to hold the rank of lieutenant commander. This appointment is dated the same day the rank was approved and signed into law by Congress. During the Civil War, Maxwell served aboard the steam sloop Juniata and later in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, including service on the USS Pinola and temporary command of the USS Octorara in 1864. He remained on active service after the war and died on July 19, 1867 while on the USS Yantic in Tampico, Mexico from peritonitis.

Condition: Flattened folds, cockling, and minor offset toning. Minor edgewear with a few small chips, and stray stains at top left margin and bottom right corner. An approximate 3" cut along lower right edge. Prior mounting adhesive along top margin. Small hole at "United" under upper vignette, just touching text. Minor soiling to paper seal.

Abraham Lincoln

Seraphin Gallery, Philadelphia, PA