Lincoln's Opera Glasses

[Dennis Urban]

Relying on my memory from many readings and without going through my library of Lincoln books, I thought Lincoln's heavy long Brooks Brothers overcoat and his shirt were cut away and removed while still in Box 8. If so, I doubt the opera glasses were in a pants pocket so as to later fall out. They would have been either on the balustrade or in his lap. Although it is possible, it does not seem reasonable the glasses fell from a pocket while being carried. One of the doctors present, Leale I think, reportedly straddled the supine body to administer an antiquated form of artificial respiration. The glasses could have been brushed aside or fallen away at that point. While Reck speaks of papers falling from his pockets, that too may be questionable if only Lincoln's pants were in place when carried out. I find it hard to believe the glasses were anyplace other than remaining in Box 8.