Possible Lincoln artifact discovered!

[Eva Elisabeth]

That is what I feel, too - it simply doesn't match what is known about Tad.  

For comparison:      
       
Here's a sample of Willie Lincoln's handwriting at age 11 - sorry, no scan, just a photo:
     

[L Verge]

I am not intending to be disrespectful of the initial carving that we have been analyzing here, but I wonder if whoever carved TAD into the chest of drawers could have accomplished something like this in later life. Truly remarkable.

http://www.metaspoon.com/tree-trunk-carving-art/

[Eva Elisabeth]

That's awesome, Laurie!!!! I love carvings - this definitely beats all I've ever seen!