Melvin "Pete" Mark 1926-2017

[Anita]

Here's an article that shows the condition of the chair just out of the box addressed to Henry Ford. " In January 1930, the chair arrived at Greenfield Village in a crate addressed: “Mr. Henry Ford, Dearborn, Michigan.” Ford was so ecstatic with his new acquisition that he had the chair’s unpacking filmed. Grainy footage depicts two men removing paper and padding to reveal the artifact, which was housed in the courthouse until 1980, when it was moved into the museum." https://www.thehenryford.org/explore/ins...ln-rocker/

Given the neglect from the time of Lincoln's assassination to Jan. 1930 and the the number of potential " original pieces of history" collectors who had access to the chair, it's highly likely pieces could have been removed.