Title:
1838 U.S. Government Document for Postage Signed by Robert E. Lee – PSA/DNA GEM MINT 10 Auto - Only in Existence?

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Description:
Offered here is an authentic and historically significant U.S. government document, dated June 30, 1838, and signed by Robert E. Lee in his capacity as a Lieutenant of Engineers. This official form certifies payment of $5.93 for postage, associated with the improvement of the Harbor of St. Louis, Missouri—a vital federal infrastructure initiative during the nation's antebellum expansion.

Printed on light stock and partially completed in manuscript, the document features Lee’s bold handwritten signature: “R. E. Lee Lt Engrs”, affirming receipt and authorization of payment. The reverse side details the specific postal charge for work carried out from April 1st to June 30th, 1838. Exhibiting only mild toning and a few light spots, the document remains well-preserved and is housed in a PSA/DNA slab, with Lee’s signature receiving a rare GEM MINT 10 auto grade.

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Historical Context:
In 1838, Robert E. Lee was still in the early stages of his military career, serving with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. His work took him across the expanding American frontier, overseeing federal engineering projects critical to commerce and infrastructure, including river navigation and harbor improvements. The Harbor of St. Louis, located on the Mississippi River, was a vital port of trade and westward movement. Lee’s role in certifying expenses like postage highlights the administrative precision and accountability required in these federal undertakings.

This document captures a moment of Lee's service long before he became a household name as the commanding general of the Confederate Army during the Civil War, offering a rare window into his federal contributions.

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Authentication & Encapsulation:

• Authentication Service: PSA/DNA

• Certification Number: 85625055

• Grade: GEM MINT 10 (Auto Grade)

• Encapsulation: Professionally preserved in a PSA/DNA tamper-evident holder with full front and back visibility.

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Closing Appeal:
This document stands out not only for its early connection to Robert E. Lee and a key infrastructure project but also for its exceptional state of preservation. To date, this is the first GEM MINT 10 Robert E. Lee document we have ever handled, and an exhaustive search of major auction archives—including Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Heritage, and RR Auction—shows no publicly recorded sale of any Robert E. Lee document graded GEM MINT 10 by PSA/DNA. For collectors who demand the highest standard of condition and historical significance, this offering is virtually without precedent.