This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2026
Exceedingly rare White House invitation by Abraham Lincoln for an event on 1 March 1864, the day before the Senate would vote on Lincoln's nomination of Ulysses S. Grant to General-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States, reviving the rank of Lieutenant General held only by George Washington during wartime. Lincoln nominated Grant the day prior, on 29 February 1864, following Grant's impressive military victories at Fort Donelson, Vicksburg and Missionary Ridge where he would earn the moniker, ''Unconditional Surrender Grant''. Lincoln had finally found the commander he was seeking who would take bold, decisive action against the Confederacy, and certainly wanted no doubt that Grant would be confirmed.
Invitations to this event were given only to members of Congress according to the ''Daily National Republican'' in its 1 March edition which reported: ''This evening the President and Mrs. Lincoln will entertain at the Executive Mansion the members of Congress and their families...no cards of invitation have been issued to any other person.'' Engraved invitation reads, ''The President and Mrs. Lincoln. / At home, / Tuesday Evening, March 1, 1864, / From 9 until 12 o'clock.'' Measures 5.25'' x 2.5''. Accompanied by original transmittal envelope with embossed stamp of ''Philp & Solomons, / Washington, D.C.'', the mid-18th century company that provided stationery to the U.S. government. Staple puncture to invitation, overall near fine condition.