As Seen on eBay

Lincoln's 1860 Campaign Biography by D.W. Bartlett

Life and Public Services of Hon. Abraham Lincoln, was an 1860 campaign biography by D.W. Bartlett. The 150-page book--published by New York's Derby & Jackson--played an important role in educating the public about the up-and-coming candidate, Abraham Lincoln. D.W. Bartlett was the Washington correspondent of the New York Evening Post and the New York Independent. The first printing was issued June 4, 1860, followed by a second printing on June 14, 1860.

The second printing said it was an "authorized" edition, but in fact, it was not. Lincoln, however, didn't openly dispute it. However, it is likely that the men who supported Abraham Lincoln, or Lincoln himself, suggested changes to Bartlett behind the scenes. The second printing was revised to remove a reference to the sherrif's sale of Lincoln's surveying equipment to pay off his debts.

The book is approximately 4-7/8" x 7-1/4". It was printed on highly-perishable pulp paper, so most of the books still in existence are very rough, especially the wrap. A second-printing edition of Life and Public Services of Hon. Abraham Lincoln is listed on eBay by seller niddk. The biography is in very good condition: tight binding, clean throughout, no tears or missing pages or parts. The auction started at $50 on September 9, 2011, and runs until September 19. Bidding picked up quickly. With 9 days and 7 hours remaining, the current price is at $227.50. [Update: The final auction price was $898.00.]

  see the original eBay listing

 

The first page reads:

LIFE AND SPEECHES OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

PART FIRST.

EARLY HISTORY.

ABRAHAM LIINCOLN was born February 12, 1809, then in Hardin, now in the recently formed county of Larue, Kentucky. His father, Thomas, and grandfather, Abraham, were born in Rockingham country, Virginia, whither their ancestors had come from Berks county, Pennsylvania. His lineage has been traced no farther back than this. The family were originally quakers, though in later times they have fallen away from the peculiar habits of that people. The grandfather, Abraham, had four brothers; Isaac, Jacob, John, and Thomas. So far as known, the descendants of Jacob and John are still in Virginia. Isaac went to a place near where Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennesse, join, and his descendants are in that region. Thomas came to Kentucky, and, after many years, died there, whence his descendants went to Missouri.

 

The back cover shows a list of other books published by Derby & Jackson.

 

 

Lincoln-Hamlin 1860 Campaign Ferrotype

Many campaign materials from the 1860 Presidential Campaign featured images of Abraham Lincoln and his running-mate, Hannibal Hamlin. Recently appearing in this blog, for example, was an 1860 Lincoln-Hamlin jugate. Ferrotypes were commonly used for small buttons and pins.

This 1860 Lincoln-Hamlin ferrotype pin featured Abraham Lincoln on one side and Hannibal Hamlin on the other. It's listed on eBay by seller walnutts, who frequently lists items of historical interest. The ferrotype pin is currently at $315, with nearly 8 days to go before the auction ends on March 21, 2011.

The images are clean and crisp with small surface scratches that are most noticable under magnification:

see original eBay listing

The ferrotype pin is about 15/16" in diameter. The brass frame bears the year of 1860 on both sides, and the name "Abraham Lincoln" and "Hannibal Hamlin" on the appropriate sides. A hole in the top of the frame allowed for the insertion of a ribbon for use as a necklace or a lanyard.

Ferrotypes are photos on tin. As a photographic medium that was popular during Lincoln's latter days, it's sometimes confused with daguerreotypes. Here's a run-down of mediums on which Lincoln's photographic image was commonly produced:

• Daguerreotype (photo on polished silver plate). Required a dangerous process: heating mercury and using the vapors to develop the plate. Popular from about 1839-1860.
• Ambrotype (photo on glass). Cheaper than daguerreotypes to produce but generally resulted in a duller image. Popular from about 1851-1870.
• Ferrotype (photo on tin). Popular from about 1853-1920.
• CDV or carte-de-visite (photo on paper). Popular from about 1850-1900.

For a pictorial guide to these image types, see Thomas Weynants' Pioneer Processes in Early Photography.

 

Freedom to the Slaves by Currier & Ives

"Freedom to the Slaves, proclaimed January 1, 1863, by Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States. 'Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.' Lev XXV 10."

So reads the bottom of the Freedom to the Slaves print by Currier & Ives, with a verse from Leviticus 25:10. This undated print celebrating the Emancipation Proclamation is now on eBay, in an auction scheduled to end on February 28, 2011. With eight days remaining, the current price is $127. [Update: The auction ended at $567.77.]

see the original eBay listing

It is framed in a frame type common to the 1860s, with wavy glass and a wood plank back. Be sure to the look at the original eBay listing to view many photos, including the frame itself (which is cropped in the images shown here). The print is about 8-5/8" x 11-3/4".

Broken shackles at his feet and hHat in hand, a freed slave kneels before Abraham Lincoln, thanking him for his freedom. Lincoln himself gestures toward heaven, as if perhaps to say that it is the will of God that slaves be freed.

 

1860 Presidential Campaign: Lincoln Hamlin Jugate

Jugates are made up of two side-by-side portraits, usually of a presidential and a vice-presidential candidate. Jugates can be on campaign pins, posters, or other materials. The rare Lincoln Hamlin jugate now listed on eBay is from the 1860 presidential campaign. It's printed on a 3-1/4" x 4-1/4" card published by Henry F. Granger & Co. of Boston, Massachusetts.

see the original eBay listing

This political jugate featuring Abraham Lincoln of Illinois and Hannibal Hamlin of Maine will be listed on eBay until February 24, 2011. With three days to go, six bids have moved the current price to $455. [Update: This auction ended at $3,738.]

 

1864 Union Lincoln Campaign Stickpin

"Union" was the campaign theme for Lincoln's presidential campaign of 1864. This enamel-painted stick pin is an 1864 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Campaign Pin, on eBay at an auction price of $300 with a day and a half to go. [February 21, 2011 update: This campaign pin sold for $795.]

see the original eBay listing

This die-cut shell brass pin is in the shape of a Union shield, featuring 34 stars and 13 stripes. The approximate size of the pin is 7/8" x 1". The stickpin on the back is 1-1/2" long. The seller notes that this 1864 Abraham Lincoln, Shield Shaped, Shell Brass Campaign is pictured on page 64 of Hake / Book III and identified as 3147-N.

 

Lladro Honors Abraham Lincoln

Lladro porcelain figurines are beautiful pieces are art. Several Americana pieces have been created by Lladro, including Abraham Lincoln by Lladro. This is Lladro #01007554, "Abraham Lincoln." It was issued in 1995 (limited to 2500) and retired in 2008. It is 21-1/4" x 11-1/2" and includes a base. The sculptor is Jose Puche.

see original eBay listing

The seller is the original owner and has never removed the piece from the box. Here it is as packed in the box:

It retails for about $2,000. The seller has started this auction at $1,000 with a reserve. [February 21, 2011 update: The seller has relisted the Lladro Abraham Lincoln figurine for a starting bid of $850.]

Here is the figure as shown on the Lladro Abraham Lincoln description page:

 

Abraham Lincoln Light Bulb

This Abraham Lincoln figural light bulb is a fantastic find! It's 3-1/2" long and is free of chips or cracks in the clear glass. As you can see, most of the original paint is still there.

 

see original eBay listing
(the seller has included lots of other photos at different angles)

With 6 days to go in the eBay listing, it's at $67. [Update: the auction ended on November 27, 2010. Nine bidders engaged in vigorous bidding, with the final price hitting $1,075.]

The earliest figural lights were made in Europe (primarily Austria and Germany) and imported to the United States. Similar looking Christmas figural light bulbs were advertised and sold by General Electric in 1910. Interestly, there is no evidence that these lights were actually made by General Electric!

The Abraham Lincoln light bulb listed on eBay seems to be in better condition that the Lincoln figural light bulb shown on the front cover of The History of the Christmas Figural Light Bulb by Robert Iwamasa and Patrick Fay.

This book shows the Abraham Lincoln bulb, along with bulbs depicting Miss Liberty, Uncle Sam, and even Punch and Judy, from the Boggis-Johnson advertising list.

Mr. Lincoln is also shown in the book as an example of a MAZDA tube figural light. Iwamasa and Fay explain: "Tube figural lights were made from pre-painted, hand-blown glass shells. The manufacturer took the painted glass shells and inserted their own tubular shaped light bulbs."

 

Lincoln Cent on Dime Double Denomination

The US Mint occasionally strikes a coin that does not follow the route into general circulation but instead gets routed back into the strike of a different denomination. The result is always weird and sometimes beautiful--"striking," even!

Such is the case of two Lincoln cents struck on Roosevelt dimes on eBay. One is still for sale; the other just sold via auction.

This 1993 P penny-dime started as a dime before it was double-struck as a Lincoln cent. It is a Mint error that is graded MS 67 by NGC. The oak branch and torch on the back of the dime are evident on Abraham Lincoln's head and beard.

Turning the Lincoln Memorial on its side makes it easier to see the silhouette of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

see original eBay listing

It is listed for $1195 or best offer by eBay seller dempseyandbaxter.

On Valentine's Day, a gorgeous 1990 P Lincoln penny strike on a dime sold via eBay auction for $857.98. The listing by sullivannumismatics started for 99 cents and attracted 23 bids from 14 bidders. This 1990 Lincoln cent on a Roosevelt dim was graded an MS 64 by PCGS.

Like the 1993 MS 67 double-denomination coin, the back of the dime is evident on Lincoln's face. Here, the oak branch and the olive branch can be seen.

And once again turning the Lincoln Memorial on its side, it's easy to see Roosevelt's silhouette.

see original eBay listing

The grade and the picture of the first coin make it obvious that the strike is much better on that coin than on the second. However, the leaves on Abraham Lincoln's face in the second double-denomination coin make that coin quite beautiful.

Abraham Lincoln Signature on Appointment Document for Patent Office

Abraham Lincoln frequently signed letters and documents with the familiar abbreviation, "A. Lincoln." A document with a full signature ("Abraham Lincoln") is listed on eBay for $21,000 with offers accepted.

The autograph is from a document dated May 7, 1861. In it, Abraham Lincoln appoints Joseph J. Coombs of the District of Columbia as Examiner-in-Chief of the US Patent Office. The document is 13-1/4" x 17" and is framed. Lincoln's signature is about 3" long. The document is also signed by Caleb Smith, Secretary of the Interior.

see original eBay listing

 

Artist's Proof Engraving: Lincoln Reads the Emancipation Proclamation to His Cabinet

"Finally, came the week of the battle of Antietam. I determined to wait no longer. The news came, I think, on Wednesday, that the advantage was on our side. I was then staying at the Soldier's Home (three miles out of Washington). Here I finished writing the second draft of the preliminary proclamation; came up on Saturday; called the Cabinet together to hear it, and it was published the following Monday."

That's Abraham Lincoln's account of his reading the Emancipation Proclamation to his cabinet, as told in F. B. Carpenter's account of his staying at the White House to capture this historic moment on canvas, Six Months at the White House.

A signed original 1866 artist's proof engraving of this reading of the Emancipation Proclamation failed to meet the reserve price on eBay on August 14, 2009. The highest bid received was $2,125. It is now for sale on eBay as a Buy It Now for $2,250.

see the original listing on eBay

Francis Bicknell Carpenter painted "The First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation" in 1864. Thereafter, he commissioned Alexander Hay Ritchie to make an engraving of the painting. The eBay listing notes this about the painting itself:

The positioning of the Cabinet members betrays their political positions: Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton were early supporters of the proclamation and were therefore placed closer to the President. Carpenter placed the more conservative members of the Cabinet farther to Lincoln's left. The moment depicted in the engraving is just after President Lincoln has completed reading the proposed Emancipation Proclamation to the Cabinet and Secretary of State William H. Seward is counseling that it not be issued until the Union can claim some success on the battlefield.

The original artist's proof listed on eBay is an engraving on paper, 28-1/2" x 38-1/2"; image is, 21" x 32"; framed dimensions are 34-3/4" x 44-3/4". It is signed in the bottom corners: "F. B. Carpenter" and "A. H. Ritchie."

 

Abraham Lincoln was the first subscriber for a signed, artist's proof of the engraved version, but he did not live to receive it. Instead, when it was published in early 1866, the first signed, artist's proof was presented to Mary Lincoln. It now hangs in Robert Todd Lincoln's study at Hildene, in Manchester, Vermont.

Carpenter's original painting now hangs in the U.S. Capitol, outside of the Senate Chamber.