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Original 1851 Autograph Note Signed by Daniel Webster, framed with a period portrait engraving.
Subject: Daniel Webster (1782–1852) – Famed American Orator, Senator, and Secretary of State.
Date: March 1, 1851.
The Inscription:Written on period "BATH" blind-embossed stationery, the note reads:
"Washington Mar: 1. 51For Mrs. Moorhead,with the sincereregards ofDanl Webster"
Provenance & History:This piece comes from the estate of the Breckenridge family. Based on the provenance and the recipient's name ("Mrs. Moorhead"), this note is attributed to Lavinia Espy Morehead, the wife of Senator James Turner Morehead (Kentucky). Senator Morehead was a close Whig party ally and Senate colleague of Webster. The spelling "Moorhead" is a characteristic phonetic spelling common in casual correspondence of the era.
Autograph: The ink remains legible and distinct. The paper shows signs of age, including foxing and water staining/discoloration consistent with mid-19th-century documents. Fold lines are visible where the note was originally creased.
Engraving: A striking portrait of Webster in a top hat and high collar. The image appears clear with some age-appropriate toning.
Frame: Housed in a vintage/antique wood frame. The backing paper is original and brittle, with significant tearing (see photos), exposing the wood panel backing. The frame itself shows wear typical of its age but displays the piece handsomely.
