The signature of president Abraham Lincoln on a rare, restored copy of the 13th Amendment that ended slavery.
The 147-year-old document, written on vellum “paper” an animal skin, was signed by President Lincoln and lawmakers who voted for it, was carefully treated to flatten and strengthen the remaining ink at the Graphic Conservation Co. AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast.
Only six copy documents have come on the market in the last 40 years, including one bought for a client at auction in 2006 for more than $1.8 million. Two have since sold privately for more money. There are at least 14 duplicate copies of the 13th Amendment signed by Lincoln.