Up for auction or purchase is a rare and highly collectible 1914 framed facsimile of President Abraham Lincoln’s famous Bixby Letter. This piece holds unique historic provenance: it was manufactured as a commemorative premium by the legendary Woodard Furniture Company of Owosso, Michigan, specifically to celebrate Lincoln's Birthday in 1914.
Unlike modern souvenir prints, this is an authentic piece of early 20th-century industrial advertising ephemera and patriotic Americana, beautifully preserved in its original antique wooden frame.
Key Features & Historical Provenance
- Historical Subject: The Bixby Letter, Abraham Lincoln's iconic Nov 21, 1864 letter of condolence to Mrs. Lydia Bixby.
- Manufacturer Label on Back: "Woodard Furniture Company, Owosso, Michigan - Lincoln's Birthday 1914 - Fred J. Woodard" (Note: Often historically misread as "Woodland").
- Production Date: February 12, 1914 (Commemorating Lincoln's 105th Birthday).
- Framing: Housed in its original period-accurate dark wood frame with its original glass.
- Text Details: Features the classic early Tobin-style facsimile layout, including the small explanatory block on the bottom left corner detailing the document's history.
Condition Report
- Document: The aged parchment paper has a beautiful, natural amber patina consistent with a 110+ year-old piece. Text remains fully legible.
- Frame: The dark wooden frame is structurally sound with light, authentic shelf wear, minor scuffs, and aging that add to its historical character.
- Backing: Features the original manufacturer's paper backing/label which shows expected wear and brittle edges due to age, but clearly preserves the crucial Woodard Company details.
- Please review all high-resolution photos carefully to assess the precise cosmetic condition.
Item Specifics
- Type: Historical Document Replica / Advertising Ephemera
- President: Abraham Lincoln
- Year of Production: 1914
- Manufacturer: Woodard Furniture Co. (Owosso, MI)
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Framed/Unframed: Framed
Shipping & Handling
- Securely packed with professional-grade bubble wrap to protect the antique glass and wooden frame during transit.