My Cousin's Treasures

by John E
(Commack, NY)

First Military Draft Letter

First Military Draft Letter

My cousin passed on with no family. He was involved in politics. The first two items are not attached, as don't want to take out of frame yet. Letter from the Civil War is attached. How much of a value for the following?

1) Framed and matted, a 1988 letter from George H Bush to my cousin thanking him for his campaign contribution and saying this time he'll win. On vice-presidential eagle letterhead.

2) Framed and matted photo of then president Jimmy Carter saying with best wishes to my cousin and his signature

3) 1863 letter to his great-uncle saying he was excused from the first draft (Board of Enrollment). It has signatures by Provost General who reported to Secretary of War, as well as asst provost and surgeon.

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My Cousin's Treasures

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Sep 04, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		My Cousin's Treasures
by: Bill

Wouldn't dots tell me if it was preprinted?

Probably

Wouldn't an autopen use regular ink?

Any pen or pencil works with an autopen machine, including flair-type markers.

... how can I tell if they are autopen? Would you need to see a scan out of the frame?

I wouldn't be able to determine with certainty if an autopen was used. Some things to look out for is an even flow of the ink, with maybe some shakiness. Possibly also an abrupt stop, instead of a "trail off"

It would take some time, but the best way to determine if you have autopens is to look for examples on the Internet. Presidents use several.


Sep 04, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		how do I tell signature is real?
by: Anonymous

I don't see any dots under a magnifying glass for either signature? Wouldn't that tell me if it was preprinted.

The Carter photo appears to be like a flair pen. Wouldn't an autopen be in regular ink?

The campaign letter from Bush, if I took it out of the matted frame, or for that matter, the Carter photo, how can I tell if they are autopen or actual? Would you need to see a scan out of the frame?

They could be real because he met politicians on a regular basis. thanks again for your advice.
Sep 03, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		George Bush, Jimmy Carter and 1863 Letter
by: Bill

The first two almost certainly have either preprinted or autopenned signatures. Routine correspondence was handled using one of those two options. During presidential campaigns, candidates (Bush) were too busy to answer routine correspondence, and if they won (Carter), they got even busier.

If they are authentic, the George Bush and Jimmy Carter letters are worth $250 each.

The last one is worth more as a historical item than it is for the autographs on it. I have seen Civil War draft letters sell for $250 - $350. I am not sure if a notice of non-eligibility would bring that much, but anything from the Civil War is collectible.

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