Decorated envelopes [1 of 3], 1861-1865

This series contains postal envelopes issued during the Civil War and at Lincoln’s death. During the Civil War, stationers issued envelopes with cartoons, caricatures and patriotic images on them. There are 163 decorated envelopes in this collection. All but four were issued by Union supporters. The pro-Confederate envelopes show the Stars and Bars flag and one image labeled “So be it Ever to the Tyrants.” The Union envelopes have images supporting the Union such as flags, the eagle, Lady Liberty, images of soldiers, and one of a woman volunteering to serve as a nurse. Individual states issued envelopes in support of the Union or promoting their volunteers, and the collection includes ones from Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana. Many of the envelopes carry cartoons or caricatures of the Confederacy, its leaders and its cause. Topics include "Cotton is King," Ssecession, Uncle Sam besting Jefferson Davis, Confederate bonds, and money problems in the south. Lincoln was a frequent subject. There are envelopes with Lincoln and his running mate in the 1860 and 1864 elections, and images of him after election. One unusual envelope is imprinted with the Union Party platform from the 1864 election. There is also one envelope with the 1864 Democratic Party ticket, McClellan and Pendeleton. The envelopes represent Lincoln in wartime including one in multiple states showing him and McClellan entitled “Review of the Army.” After his assassination, envelopes were printed with black borders and phrases like “We Cherish His Memory” and “The Nation Mourns.”