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Description

Check it out...Here's a classic original 8 1/2" wide by 11" tall 2-paged typed letter from March 17, 1943 from legendary Abraham Lincoln scholar William "Bill" Townsend (Died in 1964-See bio below)-The letter is on the official letterhead of Townsend's Lexington law firm and has GREAT information and advice about collecting Lincolniana "My only suggestions with reference to the further development of your collection are that you get on the catalog lists of as many rare book dealers as possible; that you open the catalogs at once on receipt and order immediately such items as you may desire, using the telegraph for the rarest and the most eagerly sought, and that you use great caution- as unfortunately I have not-in allowing really worth-while pieces in Lincoloniana to go by during fitful attacks of financial retrenchment, from which all collectors suffer on occasion! I have bought many items of Lincolniana which I could not afford at the particular time of purchase, but these are not among my life regrets. The regrets are only of the ones that I passed up and which have not come my way again."-Letter was written to Philadelphia Pennsylvania Lincoln collector & church Pastor Rev. Edmund F. Babe (Died in 1999) and features a 100% HAND-SIGNED signature in black ink-Item is in good condition with edge wear and is folded as mailed-Comes with a modern photo of Townsend and 6 pages of documentation on Rev. Babe with pictures and stories about his Lincoln collection, It will display so nicely-A great one-of-a-kind item!

Here's some info on Mr. Townsend:

William H. Townsend (1890-1964) renowned scholar, raconteur, and lawyer was born in Anderson Co. Educated first in a one-room school at Glensboro, he graduated from U.K. Law School in 1912. Among his books was Lincoln and the Bluegrass (1955). Townsend was a nationally known Abraham Lincoln authority and collector. He owned the largest privately held collection of Lincoln memorabilia in the United States. His collection, with more 2,500 items, included books, paintings, papers, law books, signatures of the former president, a shawl worn by Mary Todd Lincoln, and Lincoln’s prized pocket watch. The collection even included a check written and signed by Lincoln to his third son, Willie, who lay ill in the White House, which was to be cashed by Willie upon his return to health. Unfortunately, Willie died on Feb. 20, 1862, of typhoid fever, and the check was never cashed.

Postage information is listed at the bottom-$ 5.95 postage is required.

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Shipping

We will try and combine shipping on multiple purchases wherever possible. Please e-mail us with auction item numbers before sending payment. However, if the items are heavy or require special packing / tracking, the postal rates might not be significantly reduced. We no longer ship overseas first class mail. We will only ship Internationally by Priority Mail, and that starts at $30.00. So please be aware that we NO LONGER SHIP FIRST CLASS MAIL INTERNATIONALLY unless seller agrees to ship by USPS Priority mail at an increased rate. Postage rates are non-negotiable and non-refundable. We pack every item professionally using new packing materials and appropriate mailing supplies. We send all items via US Postal Service.The U.S.Postal service rates change fairly regularly every year and we don't make money on postage like some other ebay sellers. I think you'll find that we're quite fair. Thank-you!

Terms of Sale

I try and place a penny in every photo to help judge the size of the item, obviously it is there for size comparison and is not included with the item. The standard sized Lincoln head penny in the photograph is there for size comparison ONLY and is not included in the package. We're just trying to help you figure out how big the item is. We try and always be as accurate as we can in the item description and will gladly answer any question about item size & description when needed. Please e-mail us with any questions BEFORE the end of sale and BEFORE placing a bid. Postage is determined by the U.S. Postal service and is never refundable. Many of the items are VINTAGE and although they are in very fine condition, they may not function as well as when they were made decades ago. So if you intend on using the old item, please be aware that we are selling it for collector value only. In other words, if you intend on using a 50+ year old letter opener and it breaks, don't get mad at us. It may be hard to believe, but we have received a couple negatives because people broke vintage items while trying to use them.

About Us

Our Mission statement: We try to offer Ebay users unique additions to their collections. We comb the antique stores & malls as well as Antique shows & flea markets from Coast-to-coast in an effort to try and find that special addition to your collection. We travel hundreds of miles and wake up with the sun in search of these items. We truly have a love for our hobby / business. Please be aware of the postage rates BEFORE you bid! We pack professionally and do not try and make money off of postage. We generally charge the same postal rate that the US Post Office charges us. We'll respect you, but please respect us as well. Thanks & happy bidding to you! Good Luck!

Contact Us

Please e-mail us with any questions BEFORE the end of sale and BEFORE placing a bid. Postage is determined by the U.S. Postal service and is never refundable. Please be aware of the postage rates BEFORE you bid! We pack professionally and do not try and make money off of postage.