Richard T. Merrick?

(02-10-2015 04:28 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Richard T. Merrick?

I am sorry Eva, it is not Richard T. Merrick.

Hint #3: He claimed to have been a boyhood friend of John Wilkes Booth.

James R. Ford?

(02-10-2015 07:37 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  James R. Ford?

It is not James R. Ford either.

Hint #4: Later in life, and until the time of his death, he was employed as an almoner for the Actor's Fund in New York City.

Final try - John Mathews!

(02-10-2015 12:45 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  Final try - John Mathews!

That is correct!! The pressure was on and you came through Roger!

Your prize is a copy of the script for Our American Cousin autographed by "Attorney Coyle", John Mathews.

The image of an older Mathews appeared along side his obituary in the New York Dramatic Mirror dated January 21, 1905. I am attaching a picture of John Mathews from the 1860s. As you can see, he later grew the beard but his hairline is about the same.

What person described Abraham Lincoln as follows?

"He was tall and thin, with enormously long loose arms and big hands, and long legs ending with feet such as I never saw before; one of his shoes might have served Commodore Nutt as a boat. The manner in which he dressed made him appear even taller and thinner than he was, for the clothes he wore seemed to be transmitted to him by some still taller elder brother. In summer, when he wore a suit made of some light black stuff, he looked like a German village schoolmaster. He had very large ears standing off a little, and when he was in a good humour I always expected him to flap with them like a good-natured elephant."

(02-20-2015 07:39 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  What person described Abraham Lincoln as follows?

"He was tall and thin, with enormously long loose arms and big hands, and long legs ending with feet such as I never saw before; one of his shoes might have served Commodore Nutt as a boat. The manner in which he dressed made him appear even taller and thinner than he was, for the clothes he wore seemed to be transmitted to him by some still taller elder brother. In summer, when he wore a suit made of some light black stuff, he looked like a German village schoolmaster. He had very large ears standing off a little, and when he was in a good humour I always expected him to flap with them like a good-natured elephant."

Agnes zu Salm-Salm. You certainly have eclectic reading tastes.

Brilliant, Blaine! That is correct.

Like Joe Di Cola a few days ago, you also win one date with Matilda Edwards.

That's because Joe wouldn't take her to Olive Garden

Who is this gentleman?
   

That is Clark Mills who made a life mask of Lincoln that some have mistakenly called a death mask. No death mask of Lincoln exists (at least to my knowledge).

Kudos, Roger - and I was prepared to give lots of hints...

Since I cannot think of an appropriate prize matching the question, you win my best wishes for a wonderful weekend!

I was recently on a site that sells cheap historic repros. One of the items for sale was the life mask -- with two deep holes (sockets) where the eyes would be. It was quite freaky, and I suspect they would only be bought by people who love the macabre.

In 1965 while staying at Pratt Art Institute, several students wanted volunteers so they could make like masks for an exhibit. I was pregnant at the time and the plaster wasn't quick setting as it is today. But I happily agreed. They put straws in my nose and that plaster got awfully hot. So I have the mold and a life mask I can sell you or trade for one of Lincoln.