Abraham Lincoln Ephemera & Personally Owned Items: Identification, Values & How to Sell
To auction, sell or consign your Abraham Lincoln owned memorabilia & ephemera, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
What Are Some Abraham Lincoln-Owned Items?
Personal items owned by Abraham Lincoln are among the most sought after memorabilia. Although they aren’t signed, personal items such as glasses, handkerchiefs, hats, gloves and pens have a direct connection to him as he used them in his everyday life. Ephemera, such as campaign items, invitations and funeral items weren’t owned by him but do have a strong connection to his life and legacy.
Some Abraham Lincoln Owned Items We Sold:
Personally Owned and Worn Spectacles — Sold for $84,422
Spectacles worn by Abraham Lincoln, photographed with the President in the portrait taken by Alexander Gardner in Washington, D.C. in 1865 (O-116D in ”Lincoln in Photographs”). With provenance from Abraham Lincoln’s great grandson, Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith. As his last direct descendant, Beckwith writes in an ”Affidavit and Deed of Gift”, signed and dated 16 August 1977 (a photocopy of which is included in the lot): ”I, Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith of Washington, D.C., certify that among the contents of a trunk located and unopened until recently, and placed in the attic of Hildene, the estate of my grandfather Robert Todd Lincoln, Manchester, Vermont, by my grandmother Mary Harlan Lincoln (Mrs. Robert Todd Lincoln), and the said contents being awarded to me by the Estate of my sister Mary Lincoln Beckwith, were found two pair of eye glasses which had belonged to my great grandfather President Abraham Lincoln, and so marked by my grandmother Mary Harlan Lincoln. I further give one pair of these eye glasses to Margaret Fristoe of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and one pair to James T. Hickey of Elkhart, Illinois.” Hickey was the Curator of the Lincoln Collection of the Illinois State Historical Library, now the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. The pair given to Hickey is still in the Library’s collection. Two years after gifting the glasses to Fristoe, Beckwith married her and upon her death the glasses were passed to her daughter from a prior relationship, Lenora Fristoe Hoverson. Her affidavit is also included. Also included is a signed letter from a board-certified optician attesting to the prescription of the glasses as +2.12, a match to Lincoln’s known prescription strength in the 2.00 range. An amazing piece of personal history from one of America’s greatest presidents. Sold for $84,422.
Personally Used Pen as President During the Civil War — Sold for $41,250
Extraordinary collectible from the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln, a personally owned and used pen by Lincoln, given to him during his service as President. Steel-nib fountain pen, lightly worn from use, is evocative and notable for the gold-colored star pattern upon its barrel, calling forth the patriotic Union sentiment at the heart of the Civil War, clearly intended to inspire the President and reminding him of the War’s noble and patriotic purpose.
Pen (not including ink cartridge) measures 7.25” long. Light scratching to the nib from use, and some light rubbing to the barrel. Overall in near fine condition, an evocative piece from Abraham Lincoln, likely used for importance during the Civil War. Sold for $41,250.
Personally-Used Penholder Set From Civil War — Sold for $25,076
Personally owned and used penholder set by Abraham Lincoln, given to him during his service as President. Set includes: (1) Pencil with a dark wood barrel and gold-colored metal tip; (2) Smooth wood letter opener; (3) Scraper with a dark wood body and metal tip. Pieces are part of a matching set and measure 6.5″, 8″, and 6.5″ respectively, all housed within a beautiful eggplant colored holder with a leather exterior measuring 4.25″ x 8.5″. Set has been identified as inherited by Mary Edwards Brown, Mary Todd Lincoln’s grandniece who famously served as Custodian of the Lincoln Homestead in Springfield, Illinois. The set is listed as one of the items in a 2 May 1925 notarized affidavit signed by Brown as number “15. Penholder set, property of Abraham Lincoln”, a copy of which accompanies the set. This affidavit was created by Brown to accompany its sale to Richard Hagen of Friends of the Lincoln Shrines, whose 1958 notarized affidavit copy also accompanies the set, created when it was sold to noted Lincoln dealer King Hostick; affidavit reads in part: “the antique pen holder set…is the one and same pen holder set described in a notarized affadavit dated 2nd May, 1925, and signed by Mary Edwards Brown. I further certify that this pen holder, containing 2 pens, a letter opener, and a scraper, was purchased by me as agent of Friends of the Lincoln Shrines, from Mary Edwards Brown”. Finally the set is accompanied by a copy of the handwritten note by Mary Edwards Brown reading, “Desk set of pen holders pencil scraper etc. given to Abraham Lincoln while President of U.S.” Taped upon the leather exterior of the holder is a note reading “HD-216”, matching the 1958 affidavit which reads “Item #216”. Items have been lightly used but are well-preserved, overall in very good to near fine condition. Sold for $25,076.
View Some Abraham Lincoln Ephemera We Sold:
Presidential Invitation to Secretary of the Navy — Sold for $6,065
Abraham Lincoln invitation for dinner to his Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles. Invitation reads: “The President and Mrs. Lincoln request the honor of The Secretary of the Navy’s company at dinner Saturday, August 3 1861, at 7 o’clock pm. An early answer is requested.” Lovely item from the Lincoln administration at the early part of the Civil War. Partially printed document measures 5.5″ x 3.25″. Excellent condition. Sold for $6,065.
Dinner Invitation to Gideon Welles From 1861 — Sold for $6,065
Abraham Lincoln invitation for dinner to his Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles. Invitation reads: “The President and Mrs. Lincoln request the honor of The Secretary of the Navy’s company at dinner Saturday, August 3 1861, at 7 o’clock pm. An early answer is requested.” Lovely item from the Lincoln administration at the early part of the Civil War. Partially printed document measures 5.5″ x 3.25″. Excellent condition. Sold for $6,065.
1860 Election Jugate For Lincoln and Hamlin — Sold for $3,738
Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin very scarce 1860 election jugate, depicting each candidate in side-by-side portrait engravings. Political jugates of the Republican nominees were distributed during the tumultuous days leading up to the election of 1860, as Americans wrestled with slavery and wondered how a new Administration would affect it. Portrait engravings of the candidates are printed on a card published by Henry F. Granger & Co. of Boston, Massachusetts. Jugate reads: “Republican Nominees. 1860.” With Lincoln and Hamlin’s portraits depicted as “President” and “Vice President” and “Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois” and “Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine” additionally printed. Jugate, measuring 4.25″ x 3.25″, has minor foxing and toning throughout, with each portrait faded and with a very tiny tear along bottom edge. Very good condition. Sold for $3,738.
Alexander Gardner Albumen Photo of Lincoln at Antietam — Sold for $3,200
One of the most iconic photographs of Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, period albumen print entitled “Lincoln at Antietam”, taken by Alexander Gardner who included it in his book “Photographic Sketch Book of the Civil War”. Taken on 3 October 1862, two weeks after the Union victory at Antietam, President Lincoln here visits Commanding General George McClellan’s campsite at Antietam, feeling that a personal visit was required to convince the General to seize the moment and pursue General Robert E. Lee’s retreating army. McClellan stalled however, and Lincoln would remove him from his command a month later. McClellan, in turn, would then run against Lincoln for the 1864 Presidential election. Sold for $3,200.
Campaign Medallions From 1860 & 1864 — Sold for $3,000
Very rare set of 1860 and 1864 campaign medallions from the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Each medallion features a gem ferrotype portrait of Lincoln on one side and that of his running mate on the verso — Hannibal Hamlin in 1860 and Andrew Johnson in 1864. All four images are unusually clear with excellent contrast and virtually no rust. A brass holder encircles the portraits, upon which is engraved the election year. The 1860 medallion additionally lists the candidate’s name; in 1864 it states “For President” and “For Vice President”. Both medallions have a clasp at the top to run a string through so that one could visually display his support for the Lincoln ticket. Each medallion measures 1″ in diameter and are housed together in the original green velvet lined case. A beautiful set, difficult to find so well preserved. Sold for $3,000.
Document From Abraham Lincoln’s Funeral — Sold for $2,384
Scarce original document outlining the logistics of the funeral procession for President Abraham Lincoln. Document entitled ”Official arrangements at Washington for the funeral solemnities of the late Abraham Lincoln”, issued by Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, gives instructions for the 19 April procession transporting the casket from the ”President’s House” to the Capitol, where thousands of visitors paid their final respects. All 22 pallbearers, including President Grant, are listed, as are his family members and other individuals in the procession. The three page card style document also indicates the timing of the church bells and salutes to mark his death. Minor soiling and separation at folds of document, else near fine. Sold for $2,384.
Electoral Ticket for 1864 Presidential Election — Sold for $1,903
Extremely rare “National Union Electoral Ticket” for the 1864 Presidential election. The National Union party was an offshoot of the Republican party, established specifically for the 1864 election in order to attract “War Democrats” and accommodate Vice Presidential candidate Andrew Johnson. It would be a one-term party. This ticket, used by a Rhode Island delegate at the party’s Baltimore convention, is a rare remembrance of its brief existence. Ticket measures 3″ x 4.25″. Light toning and foxing, else near fine. Sold for $1,903.
Mourning Ribbon Worn at His Funeral in 1865 — Sold for $1,512
Abraham Lincoln mourning ribbon from his 4 May 1865 funeral held in his hometown of Springfield, Illinois. Interesting white lace and black satin design, with small 1″ x.75″ copper-embossed framed albumen photograph of President Lincoln at center. After Lincoln’s assassination, his body was transported by a funeral train that departed 21 April 1865 and traveled 1,654 miles from Washington D.C. to Springfield, tracing the route Lincoln had traveled to Washington as President-elect. Also includes an envelope with a handwritten note stating that this ribbon was worn by a student at Jacksonville College in Illinois. Very good condition overall. Sold for $1,512.
Conspirator Trial Ticket From 1865 — Sold for $1,430
1865 ticket to the trial of Abraham Lincoln’s conspirators. Ticket is signed by David Hunter, General and Commander of the Army in Missouri. The Military Commission convened on 8 May 1865 in a newly created courtroom on the third floor of the Old Arsenal Penitentiary in Washington. General David Hunter was one the voting members of the commission. Ticket is dated “April 14th” in reference to Lincoln’s assassination date. Ticket measures 3.25″ x 2″. Three vertical creases appear on right side. Overall good condition. Sold for $1,430.
This wraps up our Abraham Lincoln ephemera and personally owned memorabilia blog! Please feel welcome to email us with any questions. Learn how to sell your Abraham Lincoln autograph.
FAQs
Why are personal objects from Abraham Lincoln so sought after?
Every collector has their own preferences, but some prefer ordinary items, such as a cane or handkerchief, over an official signed document.
What factors determine the value of an Abraham Lincoln own item?
The value of your autograph can vary based on condition, subject matter and provenance.