John Hay Signature on Department of State Card

Item Details

John Hay Signature on Department of State Card

3 1/2 x 4 3/8-inch printed card.  Signature in black ink. Minimal soiling. Verso is blank. Very Good Condition.

John Hay had a long relationship with Abraham Lincoln dating back to Springfield, Illinois when their law offices were next to each other's. Hay worked on Lincoln's Presidential campaign and became his personal secretary and assistant. He later co-authored a definitive 12-volume biography of Lincoln.

Hay worked for several newspapers after Lincoln's death returning to governmental services as ambassador to the United Kingdom in 1897 and served as Secretary of State under McKinley and Theodore Roosvelt from 1898-1905.  Almost certainly this card was signed during his term as Secretary of State, on an official Department of State card.