Lot 152

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Description:

Andrew Johnson Signed Legal Appointment, & Rare Orange Impeachment Ticket, in a Lovely Display

A 1p document signed by 17th U.S. President Andrew Johnson (1808-1875), artfully framed along with a rare orange Johnson impeachment trial ticket and a Bureau of Engraving and Printing engraved portrait of Johnson. Matted and framed behind glass. Not examined out of the frame. Overall framed size: 19.75" x 18.5" x .875."

The lot consists of:

1. A partly printed and partly handwritten presidential legal appointment signed by Johnson as "Andrew Johnson" at lower right, and also by Secretary of State William H. Seward (1801-1872) as "William H Seward" below. Signed April 10, 1866 in Washington, D.C. An embossed wafer presidential seal is located at lower left, unevenly discolored. Seward's signature is slightly smeared but still legible. Expected paper folds and a few extra wrinkles, else near fine. Sight size of document: 15" x 9.375."

President Johnson appointed Alfred Russell (1828-1906) to a 4-year term as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. Government records indicate that this was a renewal of Russell's appointment; he had functioned in the role since as early as 1863. Russell was involved in bonds and revenue litigation, as well as some more complex cases involving bounty land warrant fraud and piracy on Lake Erie! Russell enjoyed a legal career of more than four decades.

2. A rare orange pasteboard Andrew Johnson impeachment trial ticket. The 3.5" x 2.875" ticket is imprinted "U.S. Senate / Impeachment of the President / Admit the Bearer / May 12, 1868. / Gallery. / Geo. F. Brown / Sergeant-at-Arms." Two isolated areas of discoloration and minor loss along the left edge, probably from old adhesive. A little faded, else very good to near fine.

Impeachment proceedings were levied against sitting President Johnson after the presidential ouster of Lincoln-appointed Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton in February 1868. Congress had passed the Tenure of Office Act in 1867 to restrict executive authority in hiring and firing office holders without Senate approval. Johnson was charged with eleven articles of impeachment, the majority of which related to his alleged violation of the Tenure of Office Act. The impeachment trial took place between March 5th and May 16, 1868, when President Johnson was finally acquitted of all charges. During the trial, approximately 1,000 attendance tickets were printed for each session day on a different color pasteboard. Tickets ranged in color from white, red, mauve, and yellow to green, purple, blue, and orange.

3. A Bureau of Engraving and Printing engraved portrait of Johnson. Near fine. Sight size of engraving: 3" x 3.5."

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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January 6, 2021 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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Bid Increments
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$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000