February 2012 Auction Ends Tuesday, February 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2012
Autograph letter signed by Lt. Luther Byron Baker, who led the John Wilkes Booth manhunt as a detective. Years later, key prosecution witness Louis B. Weichmann inquired of him to contribute to a book. His response reads in full, "Dear Sir, Yours of the 18th inst inclosing a circular advertising the book, 'Assassination of Lincoln.' Received. I will not at present subscribe for the Book. I inclose my circular which speaks for itself and will give you an idea of just my connection with those events. Genl. L[afayette] C. Baker [the Union spy who found Booth hiding in Virginia] and I were double cousins. I attended the great trial and was a witness at the trial of John H. Suratt. Was also a witness at the impeachment trial of President Johnson. I am / Yours truly, L.B. Baker". Single page letter is handwritten on Baker's personal stationery, printed "Lieut. L.B. Baker, Lecturer. Assassination of Abraham Lincoln / The Flight, Pursuit, Capture, Death, and Burial of J. Wilkes Booth, his Assassin." Datelined Lansing, Michigan, 20 October, but the year is not cited. Measures 8.5" x 11". Separation to fold at left edge and tears to top edge. Very good. Lot includes the circular Baker references, which contains photographs of him and material published in Harper's Weekly pertaining to the assassination. Separation to folds and light staining, else very good.
Lincoln Assassination Detective Lt. Luther Byron Baker Autograph Letter Signed -- "…I attended the great trial and was a witness at the trial of John H. Suratt…"
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