Unused, patriotic envelope with nice illustration of Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois, with a printed facsimile signature below. "PATRIOT" is printed in bold red letters at the bottom. This is the complete cover including the entire back flap. Very nice condition. Desirable 1860 presidential era patriotic cover. Uncommon with the red "PATRIOT" imprint.

Stephen A. Douglas: (1813-1861) An outstanding legislator, and orator, he was known throughout the political landscape as "The Little Giant," and was one of the founders of the Democratic Party in Illinois. He served as U.S. Senator, 1843-61, and is best known for his famous debates in 1858 against Abraham Lincoln. He was narrowly defeated for the Democratic nomination for president by Franklin Buchanan in 1856. He did gain the Democratic nomination in 1860, but he was defeated for the presidency by his old friend and rival Abraham Lincoln who both vied for the hand of the prominent Southern Belle from Kentucky, Mary Todd. Mr. Lincoln won out and married Mary Todd in Springfield, IL., on November 4, 1842, and she later became the First Lady of the 16th President of the United States in 1861. Upon secession, and the outbreak of the Civil War, Stephen A. Douglas supported President Lincoln and his policies. He tragically died of typhoid fever in 1861.