Member's new book out on October 8

[ReignetteC]

(02-21-2013 02:45 PM)Joe Di Cola Wrote:  

(02-20-2013 10:39 PM)ReignetteC Wrote:  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