Robert E Lee’s autograph and signature have been treasured since the Civil War. The Confederate General signed his autograph on cards for admirers during and after the Civil War and they were always saved by those who held Robert E Lee in high esteem. Lee was offered the command of the United States Army at the opening of hostilities, but Lee was a Virginia native and felt duty bound to follow Virginia into the Confederacy. He was a brilliant strategist and military leader and, despite vastly inferior resources, fought brilliantly. The Confederate ports were blockaded by the Union Navy and this, combined with the fact that the North dominated manufacturing, put Lee at a great military disadvantage. He did have the advantage of his troops fighting to defend their own lands, but the lack of manufacturing and the blockades slowly but steadily caused retreat into the Confederacy. In 1863 he made a very bold move, taking his army into Pennsylvania and meeting the Union Army at Gettysburg. The Confederacy’s defeat at Gettysburg was a turning point of the war. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.
Robert E. Lee’s Signature and Autograph
Robert E. Lee’s signature and autograph during the Civil War are the most sought after. Lee’s early signed documents concerning engineering during the Mexican War are occasionally available. General Lee’s signature and autograph after the war are more plentiful but still scarce. He became President of Washington and Lee University and Lee fulfilled autograph requests with clear bold signatures.
Robert E. Lee Signed Photographs
Robert E. Lee signed photographs in the carte-de-visite format are particularly sought after by collectors and admirers of the Confederate General.
Robert E. Lee signed letters and signed documents with historical content have been collected by institutional libraries and specialist collectors and are not commonly available. Documents signed by Lee are occasionally available, but Lee signatures and autographs on cards are the most frequently found.
Please browse our selection of Robert E. Lee autographed memorabilia or you may search our entire inventory alphabetically, by name, or by category.