Autograph Collection (Originals), 1847-1968

The Autograph Collection consists of a variety of documents including signatures on calling cards, signatures that appear to have been cut from letters, programs, business cards or other documents, and other signatures that were written specifically as autographs to admirers. They date from the early 19th century to the late 20th century and come from a several unidentified sources. This collection appears to have been created to center around important Kentucky public figures (politicians, authors, athletes, military leaders, etc.) or people who have some connection with the Civil War or Abraham Lincoln (Robert T. Lincoln, Simon Cameron, Steven A. Douglas, etc.). The items are organized in alphabetical order by last name. Although the majority of items in this collection are signatures collected as souvenirs or as requests for autographs, a few items were added that are actual documents but had no connection to another collection in the Archives. An example is the letter from Robert T. Lincoln requesting copies of the Congressional Directory. Items such as this have been left in the Autograph Collection because they have no relevance as part of a larger collection or as a small collection by itself.