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At a sale in which new records were set for 18 different Presidents, Profiles in History took an active part in acquiring some of the finest American historical manuscripts ever to come up at auction. A few of the highlights:

Abraham Lincoln ALS to Maj. George Ramsey, dated October 17, 1861. This is Lincoln’s celebrated "wanting to work" letter, in which he refers a lady's two sons to Ramsey. "The lady & bearer of this & says she has two sons who want to work. Set them at it, if possible. Wanting to work is so rare a merit, that it should be encouraged. Yours truly, A. Lincoln". Purchased for twice the catalog estimate, at $666,000.00.

Abraham Lincoln ALS to Ulysses S. Grant, dated January 19, 1865, in which Lincoln seeks a "nominal rank" for his son Robert Todd Lincoln in the Army of the Potomac. "Please read and answer this letter as though I was not President, but only a friend..." Purchased for six times the catalog estimate, at $666,000.00.

Abraham Lincoln ALS to Congressman Schuyler Colfax (who later became Speaker of the House), dated July 6, 1859, discussing the Republican strategy for the 1860 Presidential campaign. "[We] ought not to forget that to prevent the spread and nationalization of slavery is a National concern, and must be attended to by the Nation. In a work, in every locality we should look beyond our noses…" Purchased for nearly ten times the catalog estimate, at $501,000.00.