Nathan S. Lincoln Check Signed – Surgeon-in-Chief, Physician to Pres. Garfield

Description

Nathan S. Lincoln Check Signed – Surgeon-in-Chief, Physician to Pres. Garfield
Offered for your consideration is a check signed by a prominent Civil War era surgeon, accomplished one week before the shooting of President James A. Garfield, whom he was one of the first to attend and correctly diagnose. The check is drawn on the “
National Metropolitan Bank
” in “
Washington, D. C.
” and is dated “
June
25
188
1
”. The body of the document reads “
Pay to
Proceeds
or Bearer,
One hundred & fifty
Dollars
”, followed by the amount, presented in numerical format, and the signature of “
N. S. Lincoln
”, the issuer of the check. A decorative frame appears at the left, with “
Stamp
” printed at the center, intended to have an Internal Revenue tax stamp affixed within (no stamp is present, nor does it appear that one was ever affixed). Atop this, written in period ink, appears to be “
Renewal
”, though this is not assured, nor is the significance known. The check is printed in light green ink, while the manuscript additions are accomplished in period ink. It is interesting to note the similarities between this Lincoln signature and that of our 16
th
President. A great addition to any Civil War, presidential, or medical collection.
Nathan Smith Lincoln
was born on June 1, 1827 in Gardner, Worcester County, Massachusetts. After preparatory schooling, he entered Dartmouth College, graduating from that institution in 1850.He studied medicine with his uncle, and received his medical degree from the University of Maryland in 1852. He practiced in Baltimore, Maryland until January 1, 1854, after which he moved to Washington, D. C. He was elected professor of chemistry in the medical department of Columbia University in 1857, and subsequently filled the chairs of theory and practice, anatomy and physiology, and surgery (he held this last position until 1874). In 1861 he was appointed surgeon-in-chief of the hospitals in the Washington, D.C. area, a position he held until several months after the close of the war. Lincoln served as vice-president of the District of Columbia Medical Society in 1872, and president of that same organization from 1875-76. On July 2, 1881, Dr. Lincoln was one of the first physicians called to examine President James A. Garfield after his shooting by Charles J. Guiteau (Dr. Lincoln correctly diagnosed the president’s wound, as evidenced by the subsequent autopsy). Lincoln also served as the primary physician for Garfield’s successor, Chester A. Arthur. Dr. Nathan S. Lincoln died on October 13, 1898 in Washington, D. C. and was buried in that city’s Oak Hill Cemetery.
The currently offered document exhibits signs of expected period use, followed by many years of relatively proper storage. Light toning is present across the entire surface, imparting to the paper and off-white to beige appearance (this toning is slightly darker at the bottom, with a light brown streak along the bottom edge). Several folds are noted, though none of them appears to have affected the integrity of the paper (neither has the minor wrinkling noted at the left end). One cancellation hole has been punched at the center, with very minor associated paper loss. The contrast is average, though the seller is unaware of the original color of the ink used in the printing (there may be some minor fading, especially along the right end). The margins are irregular in size, with virtually none at the bottom (part of the bottom frame-line is actually missing). Measuring approximately 2¾ x 8 inches, this piece would frame nicely with a period portrait of Dr. Lincoln.
A .95 charge will be added to the winning bid for postage and insurance.
A .00 charge will be added to any item picked up in person at our physical location.
If you have any questions regarding this item, please ask before purchasing.
Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
American Coins and Collectibles
Shreveport, LA