Description

This cacheted cover commemorates the centennial anniversary of a political address by Abraham Lincoln delivered at Springfield, Illinois, on July 20, 1840. On the left half of the envelope, the cachet printed in yellow and green ink depicts the building in Springfield, Illinois, in which Abraham Lincoln had his first law office in partnership with John Todd Stuart. The title printed above the cachet reads "One hundred years ago, on July 20, 1840, Abraham Lincoln took part in a political debate at Springfield." The caption below the cachet is "Hoffman's Row on North Fifth Street in Springfield." A postmark reading "Springfield, Ill., Jul 20, 1940, 6 AM" is stamped on the upper center of the envelope. The envelope is addressed to Lincoln Nat'l Life Foundation, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Tucked inside the envelope is a cream-colored folder which contains text by Theodore Charrney describing the debate between legislative candidates Abraham Lincoln and Jesse B. Thomas, Jr., which took place in the Court Room on the first floor of the Hoffman's Row building two weeks before the August 3rd election in Springfield. Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum