Proceedings of the National Republican Convention, Held at Chicago, May 16th, 17th, & 18th, 1860. For the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois. For Vice-President, Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine.

[LINCOLN, Abraham].

Item Number: 110503

Chicago: Press & Tribune Documents, 1860.

Rare first separately printed account of the historic 1860 Republican National Convention in which Abraham Lincoln was nominated as the party’s candidate for President. (Monaghan, 76. Sabin, 65894). Original pamphlet, 44 pages sewn. In near fine condition. Small notation to the upper left corner of the front wrapper. Library stamp to the rear wrapper.

Held to nominate the Republican Party's candidates for president and vice president in the 1860 election, the 1860 Republican National Convention selected former Representative Abraham Lincoln of Illinois for president and Senator Hannibal Hamlin of Maine for vice president. Entering the 1860 convention, Senator William H. Seward of New York was generally regarded as the front-runner, but Lincoln, Governor Salmon P. Chase of Ohio, former Representative Edward Bates of Missouri, and Senator Simon Cameron of Pennsylvania all commanded support from a significant share of delegates. Seward led on the first ballot but fell short of a majority, while Lincoln finished in a strong second place. Lincoln clinched the nomination on the third ballot after consolidating support from more delegates who had backed candidates other than Seward. After taking office in 1861, Lincoln would appoint all four of his major opponents for the Republican nomination to his cabinet.