I do not really know about him. There is a little information on this page.

I have noticed that "right brained" individuals tend to pick out the images a lot faster. Just an observance...will ask Mr. Norton to post a photo!

I wanted a right brain, but they ran out.
I had to settle for what was left

There are hundreds of individual lines etched to make up the "death cloak"...I also see 2 stars on the lapel, or "clown color"....

Gene C, I was lucky, I got a righty...

Would it be possible for you to take a photo of this image and add crucial lines that you see forming a true picture of something? I used to be very good at spotting "hidden images," and I admit to old age, but I am totally confused about what I am supposed to be seeing in the drawings on the back of that dresser.

The carving on the top is a possibility, but someone will have to trace the dresser back to the Lincoln family. The additional artwork, however, is hard to determine - if indeed it is composed of drawings by someone (not necessarily Tad).

Truth to be told my antique furniture has lots of similarly looking marks from over a century of usage, moving, kitty paws and wood worms. Maybe it doesn't come over clearly in the photos, but how do you determine these are "etchings" rather than traces of use?

(06-21-2016, 07:53 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote: Truth to be told my antique furniture has lots of similarly looking marks from over a century of usage, moving, kitty paws and wood worms. Maybe it doesn't come over clearly in the photos, but how do you determine these are "etchings" rather than traces of use?

The back panel where most of the etchings are is 1/2" inset. You'll notice on our webpage that the chest of drawers is in immaculate condition except for the etchings, which leads me to believe that the piece has been set with its rear to the wall and was used very little, if at all. Just my opinion.

From Ed Steer's "Lincoln Slept Here", "carved into the back of an inlaid cherry cupboard made by Thomas Lincoln" (and now at the James B. Speed Museum, Louisville, KY):
   

Could the positioning of the TAD carving (front right corner, bottom of letters towards the front) help to indicate handedness??? These are deep gouges that I would want to rest my elbow while carving. Just a speculation.

(06-17-2016, 02:05 PM)RJNorton Wrote:

(06-17-2016, 06:56 AM)Tadsecrete Wrote: Due to the subject matter in the etchings, I believe the chest of drawers to be POST White House years.

Also, in June 1867 Mary sold at least some of her furniture to a man named John Alston. I am not sure what Alston did with it.

While searching for Mr. Alston, I came across ancestry.com (which I am not a member) and there is actually a receipt from Mrs. Lincoln for a parlor suite. Not sure what all the receipt has on it. Maybe there is a member on here that also uses ancestry.com and could look it up?

Here is a link to the image, but it's too blurry for my aging eyes to read.

http://mediasvc.ancestry.com/v2/image/na...axSide=160

(06-22-2016, 10:54 AM)RJNorton Wrote: Here is a link to the image, but it's too blurry for my aging eyes to read.

http://mediasvc.ancestry.com/v2/image/na...axSide=160

Lol...it's not your age or eyesight...I wonder where the original is located...noticed that there seems to be several items on the receipt! Any ancestry.com buffs out here?

You can tell Mary was married to a lawyer and a storekeeper.
I generally don't keep my receipts for that long.

    john L.. Alston 1820-1899....

Need a little help deciphering...

(06-23-2016, 04:43 PM)Tadsecrete Wrote: john L.. Alston 1820-1899....

Need a little help deciphering...

Here is my set of guesses: (sorry that it would not allow me to indent as on original)

John Alston
To Mrs. Lincoln
For Front Parlor Set 1,100~
2 Diveans (sic Divans) 375.00
1 Etagere 300.00
1 Egyptian Center table 180.00
1 White (?) 150.00
2 Blinds (?) 3.00 each 6.00
2 " 2.00 each 4.00
2 " 1.50 each 3.00
1 " " 1.50
2,119.50
Deduction on ___? 25.00
Received payment by way notes
Dated Nov. 1st 1867
Chicago Nov. 1st 1867 Rec'd payment
Mrs. A. Lincoln

NOTE: I am really curious about the signature. It looks more like someone trying to fake her husband's signature. Any sample of her handwriting or indication that she didn't use Mary T. Lincoln?

I am really taking a stab at the word "blinds." My logic is telling me that the word should be "chairs" because a proper parlor suite would have an armchair or two and 3-4 side chairs. I can't see the word "chairs" in that listing, however.