Lincoln & Herndon

[Eva Elisabeth]

Many thanks!!! I've NEVER heard (have you, Angela?) of any case where a couple married without wedding rings (don't know about the 19th century though), not even when marrying only at the registry office. Sure I do know people who cease to wear it sometime, for professional or other reasons (and the latter case usually causes gossip).

...why add the cost of a ring?

My personal opinion - because it's way more important and long-lasting. The wedding lasts one day, the ring is (intended to be) a lifelong symbol!!!

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How did they engrave gold and silver in the 1840s? They didn't have those electronic gadgets to do it with. I am assuming by hand - and that means that it took more than short notice to engrave that entire inscription of initials, date (which would have to have been set earlier than 24 hours), and loving thoughts.

Laurie, I'm sure it wouldn't have taken more than some minutes! In Tunisia or Marocco you can watch traditional engravers and artisans at each street corner, engraving entire landscapes, camels, ornaments, all sorts of personal inscriptions, and whatever else the customer wishes into all sort of silver- and copperware with a chisel within five to ten minutes!!!