Seed Pearl Necklace and Bracelets

[L Verge]

(06-04-2019 11:41 AM)James Wrote:  Informed opinion, Dave? Oh boy, here we go again. Would it trouble you greatly if I were to borrow Donna's ... "Johnny Mac" reference and sledgehammer as a means of reply to that statement? Or would that be construed as sarcasm? And what is it exactly about sarcasm that is so offensive to you folks?
How on God's green earth would you expect me to respond to Laurie's statement that her source, who is a well known author who specializes in Mary Lincoln, had no knowledge of the large scar on Mary's forehead because they couldn't find a reference to it after having read "literally" (her words - not mine) every bit of biographical material available on Mary?
Susan asks ... "If the identifying scar that Mary bore is not mentioned in any of her biographies, what is your source for the scar"?
Since we're talking about a PHOTOGRAPH, would logic and basic common sense not dictate that one simply peruse an illustrated biography of Mary Lincoln?
It really feels like the cart is pulling the horse here. It's reminiscent of the TV commercial with the little girl asking ... "so what exactly does the dishwasher do"?
So what exactly does the Lincoln community do?

How on God's green earth would you expect me to respond to Laurie's statement that her source, who is a well known author who specializes in Mary Lincoln, had no knowledge of the large scar on Mary's forehead because they couldn't find a reference to it after having read "literally" (her words - not mine) every bit of biographical material available on Mary?
Susan asks ... "If the identifying scar that Mary bore is not mentioned in any of her biographies, what is your source for the scar"?
Since we're talking about a PHOTOGRAPH, would logic and basic common sense not dictate that one simply peruse an illustrated biography of Mary Lincoln?

First, When I said "literally," I meant literally because the well-known and respected author who answered my email the other day has probably read and written more on Mary Todd Lincoln than anyone else in the field - past or present. This expert also emailed me today to say that he/she went to page 287 in the Kunhardts' book to double-check about the scar. He/she says it is more of a pock mark than an injury scar.

And this leads directly to your next comment. Those with whom you have dealt, both here and in the Lincoln world, have done a lot more than "simply peruse an illustrated biography of Mary Lincoln." How do you think they have gained the stature that they have in the field?