This full-body portrait of Lincoln features his classic suit and tie and the top hat for which he was well-known.  The etching is signed at the bottom by Schneider and the back is dated February 2, 1913.  Otto J. Schneider is known to be the artist of the famous etching of Lincoln based on the photograph taken by Alexander Gardener. Records describe this as a “rare Schneider etching.”

Dimensions (Matte): Height 20.75 inches, Width 12 inches.   

The small bas-relief plaque, known as a mourning plaque, of Abraham Lincoln has some local provenance.  It was purchased from the Colwell-Dorset estate. 

Nannie’s husband was Captain Wilson Colwell, who left his position as mayor of La Crosse to lead our local Company B in the Civil War. While stationed in Washington D.C. he and his wife were entertained at the White House by Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln, and the two women became friends. After the death of one of the Colwell children, Mrs. Lincoln sent flowers. Captain Colwell was killed in battle, and his widow eventually remarried, but it is entirely likely and appropriate that Nannie Colwell Dorset would have had this commemorative plaque honoring the late president in her home, and that her daughter, who was extremely proud of her father and her ancestry, would have kept and treasured it.

The gold-colored oval frame contains a gold-painted, bas-relief sculpture of Lincoln in profile mounted on black velveteen. This plaster bust was formed in a mold, then painted and mounted in the frame.  Research has only located one or two other examples that appear to be from the same mold. The square style of the nails on the back of the frame, and the age of the worn velveteen, combined with the provenance of this piece, make it likely that it was produced closer to the time of Lincoln’s death than many more common plaques that were done later in the 19th century.  A mourning plaque such as this would have been a fashionable way to commemorate the loss of an influential president who was also a friend of the family.  

Dimensions: Height 12 inches, Width 10 inches.  

Here are two newspapers announcing the death of Abraham Lincoln.  These New York Herald editions are dated April 15, 1865.  However, these newspapers are not original.  They do not match the layout of the newspapers that printed on that sorrowful day.  There are six original versions of this newspaper that were printed with updated information as the day progressed.  These copies were produced later, to satisfy a market for Lincoln memorabilia that persisted for many years after his death. Some of the key components of these later reproductions are that they are either 2 or 4 pages in length, have differing numbers of columns and headings, and they contain a large centered portrait of Lincoln.  Both of these newspapers fall into those categories, but they are still at least a century old, if not older.  Reprints of this newspaper were common, and buyers understood what they were getting.  They were not meant to trick consumers, but instead were mementos.  Fakes are also usually deteriorating and are in worse condition than the earlier, higher quality originals.   More often than not the front page of the paper was reprinted and the backside contained an advertisement for a product.    

This framed image of Lincoln is actually a woven silk portrait and is not a print.  This mourning “ribbon” was more than likely from the Centennial Exposition of 1876, and the title has been cut off from the bottom.  A series of these ribbons were made to commemorate other individuals as well.  For example,  Wilhelm I, King of Prussia, Emperor of Germany  and Joseph Marie Jacquard portraits were also woven in silk.  There is evidence that the textile was cut to fit into the frame, so the text beneath the portrait was removed.  It was woven by Francois Carquillat and was designed by Allardet.  There are a few minor holes in the silk and some stains, but this item is over 100 years old and still prominently displays the image of a beloved and memorable president.  

Dimensions: Height 10.75 inches, Width 7.5 inches.

This commemorative plate was made in order to sell to produce funds for the Nancy Hanks Club scholarship for the Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee.  The statue reads "LINCOLN THE LAWYER Let every American, every loved of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the revolution never to violate in the least particular the laws of the country. Springfield Ill Jan 27, 1838".  The back of the plate reads " The statue of Lincoln the Lawyer of the campus of Lincoln Memorial University at Harrogate, Tennessee was sculptured in bronze by C.S. Paolo. It is the first outdoor Lincoln statue erected in a former confederate state.  The sale of this plate is sponsored by the Nancy Hanks Club to maintain a scholarship loan fund for women students at the university and for community service. Old English Staffordshire Ware Made in Stratfordshire England imported exclusively for Nancy Hanks Club."

Dimensions: 9.5 inches.  

This chromo-lithograph (multi-color print) is from the early twentieth century (c. 1913) and is an advertisement for the “A. Lincoln” style watch from the Illinois Watch Company.  The bottom right corner has a seal of the Illinois Watch Company.  Although this image was created over 50 years after his death, he still had enough appeal with the public to be used to sell watches.  

Dimensions (Print): Height 9.5 inches, Width 6.5 inches.