Show us your Lincoln collectables!

[Juan Marrero]

I have a few collectibles that I would like to photograph and post once I learn how.

First, a note written on the back of an envelope, wherein Al, on March 8, 1862, directs the Adjutant General to look into a request (via Congressman Knapp) to reassign the son of a "near neighbour" from Springfield to another regiment. I find this poignant given the date when the President would have been still in the throes of fresh grief over Willie.

Second, a letter by MTL in which she attempts to arrange the hiring of Charles Forbes ("a most worthy man") as messenger. The letter is addressed (Jan. 16, 1864) to Treasurer Spinner. Spinner's handwriting (on the back of the letter) is stunning calligraphy.

I also have a pristine volume from the collected works of Lytton (of "it was adark and stormy night fame") that Mrs. Lincoln signed and dated 1864. From the condition, it seems no one has ever read the book. She must have bought the entire set on a shopping trip, signed each volume and used them as decoration. The AL Library has two of the volumes from the set.

Third, a Charles Leale family bible and a letter by him written many years after the assassination.

Finally, an autographed card by Harry Hawk; on the back he wrote that he was the only one on stage at the time of the fatal shot.

Tangentially, I have a letter by Julia Ward Howe, an autgraphed portrait print of Seward, and an "inspirational line" by H.B. Stowe.

Unless my 15 year old develops a more visible interest in these, I probably will donate them somewhere, as one can only a temporary custodian of such marerial.

A family friend has two Lincoln letters written to her ancestor in which Lincoln mentions his debate with Douglas. The letters are incorporated into Lincoln's collected works, but it would still be neat to have Lincoln letters written to one's g-g-g-granddad!