Scarce Lincoln Assassination Trial Ticket Boldly Signed by David Hunter, PSA Slabbed

Abraham Lincoln Assassination
Washington, DC, May 31, 1865

Scarce Lincoln Assassination Trial Ticket Boldly Signed by David Hunter, PSA Slabbed
Signed Ticket

Lincoln Assassination. Military Commission ticket granting admission to "Mr. J.H. McConnell + five ladies" to the trial of John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators for the murder of President Abraham Lincoln. Very boldly signed with flourish, "D: Hunter," by General David Hunter as President of the Commission. 1p, 3.5" x 2.125", Washington, May 31, 1865. Date and bearer information completed in pencil. Certified, graded NM-MT 8, and encapsulated by PSA/DNA to an overall size of 5.25" x 3.125". Blank verso. Expected handling wear including age toning, light soiling, and scattered foxing. Minor loss at corners. Else, in near fine condition, and exceedingly rare.

This is only the second slabbed ticket to the Lincoln Assassination conspirators' trial that we have seen come to the auction market; we sold the first in our June 2023 auction for $5,000 including buyer's premium. And, in March 2026, Heritage Auctions sold an unaccomplished pass to the trial for $13,750 including buyer's premium. We believe this example is far superior as it is fully accomplished.

Issued cards are extremely rare as most offered today are unaccomplished and were apparently left blank to be held with the Sergeant at Arms during the trial to be used by any last-minute witnesses or dignitaries. It is also very interesting that the bearer of this card, Delegate to the DNC from Illinois, Mr. J.H. McConnell, brought "five ladies" to the trial. Were they in support of Mary Surratt?

David Hunter (1802-1886) was an American military officer who served as a Union general during the American Civil War. He achieved notability for his unauthorized 1862 order emancipating slaves in three Southern states, though the order was immediately rescinded. Hunter served in the honor guard at the funeral of Abraham Lincoln and accompanied his body back to Springfield. He was the president of the military commission trying the conspirators of Lincoln's assassination, from May 8 to July 15, 1865. Hunter retired from the U.S. Army in July 1866 as a major general.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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