Member's new book out on October 8

[BettyO]

Cool! I'm ordering a copy!

[Joe Di Cola]

Cool! I'm ordering a copy!

THanks you, Betty,

I hope you enjoy it.

Joe

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Nice job Joe!

Thanks, Bill. It was a labor of love since the fair has been an interest of mine since my early years.

Joe

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Reminder to everyone - Joe's book is out in 4 days.

Thanks, Roger,

I am looking forward to this.

Joe

[BettyO]

Joe -

I know all about a "labor of love" -- believe me, I've found out that one doesn't get rich writing history; but the gratification of the research, study and the wonderful people one meets along the way more than make up for any $$$ that one could ever acquire! Worth it's weight in pure gold!!

[Joe Di Cola]

Joe -

I know all about a "labor of love" -- believe me, I've found out that one doesn't get rich writing history; but the gratification of the research, study and the wonderful people one meets along the way more than make up for any $$$ that one could ever acquire! Worth it's weight in pure gold!!

Betty,
You are so right. And, not only the people you meet, but the kindness of "strangers" in putting information your way or in granting permission to use images.
Joe

[BettyO]

Indeed, Joe! I have "met" many, many strangers who have become dear "friends" in that they have gone out of their way to be helpful!

[RJNorton]

I just finished reading Joe's book, and it now sits on the coffee table in our living room. Joe, you get an A+ from me, and I would recommend your book to everyone. Kudos on a great job!

[Joe Di Cola]

I just finished reading Joe's book, and it now sits on the coffee table in our living room. Joe, you get an A+ from me, and I would recommend your book to everyone. Kudos on a great job!

Roger,

Thank you for your words. I am glad you enjoyed the book; I wish I could have seen that fair in person. UCLA has a virtual tour of the fair, and it is absolutely amazing in generating the feeling that you are there.

Joe

[RJNorton]

I received a message from Joe this morning, and he is currently in the Chicago area for book-related events. I highly recommend Joe's book to anyone who likes books or is looking for a gift for that special somebody. Joe, if you read this, be sure to go to Russell's Barbecue at the corner of North Ave. and Thatcher. That's where I took my wife on our first date in 1960.

P.S. Joe also reports that his recovery from back surgery is on schedule. Have a good trip, Joe!

[ReignetteC]

Hello, Mr. Di Cola,

I look forward to reading your book when it arrives in two days from Amazon, as the fair is of particular interest regarding my research about President Lincoln's assassination clothing.

But I am a bit stumped and would value your help (and others!) . . . .

I am sure you are familiar with "Six Months at the World's Fair," - published in 1895 - and written by Mrs. Mark Stevens. In the chapter titled, “Illinois Building,” Stevens refers to the "long black coat worn by President Lincoln when he was assassinated." Because her observation about the coat follows a lengthy description about the John Brown relics, I assume that the coat, together with the JB relics, was from the private collection of Chicago businessman Frank G. Logan. (If true, the coat would eventually be donated to the Chicago Historical Society where its authenticity would be challenged in the 1920s.)

As I'd like to learn more about "the coat" that was featured at the fair, and I have yet to find an image of the display, I'd be grateful for any direction.

Thanks,
Reignette

[Joe Di Cola]

Hello, Mr. Di Cola,

I look forward to reading your book when it arrives in two days from Amazon, as the fair is of particular interest regarding my research about President Lincoln's assassination clothing.

But I am a bit stumped and would value your help (and others!) . . . .

I am sure you are familiar with "Six Months at the World's Fair," - published in 1895 - and written by Mrs. Mark Stevens. In the chapter titled, “Illinois Building,” Stevens refers to the "long black coat worn by President Lincoln when he was assassinated." Because her observation about the coat follows a lengthy description about the John Brown relics, I assume that the coat, together with the JB relics, was from the private collection of Chicago businessman Frank G. Logan. (If true, the coat would eventually be donated to the Chicago Historical Society where its authenticity would be challenged in the 1920s.)

As I'd like to learn more about "the coat" that was featured at the fair, and I have yet to find an image of the display, I'd be grateful for any direction.

Thanks,
Reignette

Reignette,

I hope you enjoy the book about the fair.

The book, "Illinois Building and Exhibits therein at the World's Columbian Exposition 1893" makes no mention of Lincoln artifacts in the collection. I noted that Mrs. Stevens's "Six Months at the World's Fair" makes mention of the coat on pp. 328-329. The provenance of this coat, supposedly from the Logan Collection, cannot be the coat Lincoln wore on the night of his assassination--something the Chicago Historical Society rightly challenged.
The complete Brooks Brothers suit he wore that night was taken back to the Executive Mansion when Lincoln's body was returned for autopsy and embalming. Mrs. Lincoln subsequently gave the clothes to Alphonso Donn, the White House doorkeeper--and a favorite of the Lincolns. In spite of many offers to purchase the clothes, even from Barnum, Donn kept the relics. Later, in 1924, Donn's daughter-in-law put the clothing up for auction in Philadelphia; an anonymus bidder paid $6,500. for the clothes, but allowed Donn to keep them. They eventually were left to Donn's granddaughter who, in 1968, sold them for $25,000. and the buyer gave them to Ford's Theatre (National Park Service) where they still reside. This chain of evidence--so to speak-- negates any claim to what may have been represented at the fair in 1893.
Most of the fair images are exterior shots. Except for interior photos of the fourteen great buildings, there are few if any interior shots--and this is especially true of the foreign and state buildings. As far as I know, the photos in which you are interested do not exist.
I hope this information is of help to you.

All the best,

Joe

[ReignetteC]

Hello, Mr. Di Cola,

I look forward to reading your book when it arrives in two days from Amazon, as the fair is of particular interest regarding my research about President Lincoln's assassination clothing.

But I am a bit stumped and would value your help (and others!) . . . .

I am sure you are familiar with "Six Months at the World's Fair," - published in 1895 - and written by Mrs. Mark Stevens. In the chapter titled, “Illinois Building,” Stevens refers to the "long black coat worn by President Lincoln when he was assassinated." Because her observation about the coat follows a lengthy description about the John Brown relics, I assume that the coat, together with the JB relics, was from the private collection of Chicago businessman Frank G. Logan. (If true, the coat would eventually be donated to the Chicago Historical Society where its authenticity would be challenged in the 1920s.)

As I'd like to learn more about "the coat" that was featured at the fair, and I have yet to find an image of the display, I'd be grateful for any direction.

Thanks,
Reignette

Reignette,

I hope you enjoy the book about the fair.

The book, "Illinois Building and Exhibits therein at the World's Columbian Exposition 1893" makes no mention of Lincoln artifacts in the collection. I noted that Mrs. Stevens's "Six Months at the World's Fair" makes mention of the coat on pp. 328-329. The provenance of this coat, supposedly from the Logan Collection, cannot be the coat Lincoln wore on the night of his assassination--something the Chicago Historical Society rightly challenged.
The complete Brooks Brothers suit he wore that night was taken back to the Executive Mansion when Lincoln's body was returned for autopsy and embalming. Mrs. Lincoln subsequently gave the clothes to Alphonso Donn, the White House doorkeeper--and a favorite of the Lincolns. In spite of many offers to purchase the clothes, even from Barnum, Donn kept the relics. Later, in 1924, Donn's daughter-in-law put the clothing up for auction in Philadelphia; an anonymus bidder paid $6,500. for the clothes, but allowed Donn to keep them. They eventually were left to Donn's granddaughter who, in 1968, sold them for $25,000. and the buyer gave them to Ford's Theatre (National Park Service) where they still reside. This chain of evidence--so to speak-- negates any claim to what may have been represented at the fair in 1893.
Most of the fair images are exterior shots. Except for interior photos of the fourteen great buildings, there are few if any interior shots--and this is especially true of the foreign and state buildings. As far as I know, the photos in which you are interested do not exist.
I hope this information is of help to you.

All the best,

Joe

Thanks ever so much, Joe, for the helpful information. You confirmed my hunch thus far: that the only reference to the Lincoln coat displayed at the fair is attributed to Mrs. Stevens's book. I have been looking for a primary source to corroborate her observation, but to no success. Also, was it a frock (suit) coat or overcoat? Stevens doesn't say.

And thanks, too, for the information about the Donn clothes; it's a topic that is very dear to me, particularly because I work for the great clothing house that made the overcoat. In fact, I've spent the past few years researching the overcoat and its historic journey.

Thanks again,
Reignette

[Jim Page]

. . . I work for the great clothing house that made the overcoat.

Reignette, I thought of you yesterday at the office. I noticed that a young man in accounting was always well turned out, and I complimented him on it. He replied, "That's because I get all my clothes the same place you do: Brooks Brothers!"

Although I will admit that I used to also shop at the Raleigh's store when they were still around in the DC area.

--Jim

[RJNorton]

Joe read my post above and sent this short movie. This won't mean anything to anyone but Vicki and me. It's incredibly nostalgic to see the place where we went after our first date in 1960. If anyone is ever traveling in the Chicago-area be sure to go to Russell's and sample their barbecue!!

Here's Joe!