Show us your Lincoln collectables!

[Juan Marrero]

Anita, thank you for your kind response. The book is "Rienzi, the Last of the Roman Tribunes" by Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton. He was well regarded in his time, but probably best known today for beginning one of his novels with "it was a dark and stormy night." When I bought the book, I was told that it had been donated by Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith for a charity auction.

I was also informed by the Lincoln Library staff that AL's note is the only known instance when he used the phrase "one of my nearest neighbors." It's believed that Lincoln was likely referring to one of the Kent boys who lived on his block--either James or Josiah.

I have had the collecting bug ever since I can remember. I seem to focus on the mid 19th century. If I had money to burn, the autograph I would seek is Emily Dickinson's. A note written by her went for over $30,000 at auction not too long ago. It comes down to scarcity and demand.