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Offered here is an original handwritten cut signature of Samuel Newell Bell (1829–1889), New Hampshire attorney, businessman, and Democratic Congressman who served in the U.S. House of Representatives during the Reconstruction era.
The signature reads:
“S. N. Bell”
Handwritten in dark ink on a small clipped paper segment, likely removed from a letter, autograph album, or signed document of the 19th century.
Samuel Newell Bell represented New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District in the 42nd Congress (1871–1873) and again in the 44th Congress (1875–1877). A member of one of New Hampshire’s most politically influential families, Bell was the grandson of Governor Samuel Bell and nephew of U.S. Senator James Bell.
Born in Chester, New Hampshire, in 1829, Bell became a respected attorney in Meredith and later expanded into business and industry. Beyond politics, he was active in the insurance and railroad sectors, including serving as vice president of the New Hampshire Fire Insurance Company. His congressional service came during a transformative period in post-Civil War American politics, making authentic signatures from Bell desirable for collectors of political autographs, New Hampshire history, and Reconstruction-era Americana.
Condition is as shown:
- Small cut signature fragment
- Ink remains strong and legible
- Minor age toning and handling wear
- Likely removed from a larger document or album
A nice and affordable 19th-century congressional autograph tied to an important New England political dynasty.
