Description

This cacheted cover commemorates the centennial anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's campaign speech promoting presidential candidate William Henry Harrison at Belleville, Illinois, on April 11, 1840. On the left half of the envelope, the cachet printed in tan, brown, and green ink depicts the building where Lincoln spoke. The title printed above the cachet reads "One hundred years ago, on April 11, 1840, Abraham Lincoln Delivered a Political Address at a Whig Rally in Belleville." The caption below the cachet is "Old St. Clair County Court House at Belleville." A postmark reading "Belleville, Ill., Apr 11, 1940, 6:30 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 stone-colored folder which contains various reactions to Lincoln's speech and text by Theodore Charrney describing the building where Lincoln spoke. Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum