Mr. Lincoln's Coat

[ReignetteC]

Out of curiosity, is there any record as to how many hours of hand labor were required to do that quilting?

Very good question, Laurie, and I am glad to provide the answer.

In 1918, on the occasion of Brooks Brothers' centenary, a former seamstress, who described herself as "over seventy years young" informed the clothier that it was she who "had the honor of quilting the linings" of the overcoat [greatcoat] that was made for President Lincoln's second inauguration. "It took me two days of steady work," she said, "not eight hours but ten to complete it, and Brooks Brothers paid me eight dollars for it."