Description:

Amazing A. Lincoln Archive, 10 Pcs, Re: Collecting Lincolniana & Memorializing the First Slain U.S. President

A very interesting archive of materials relating to 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) and the collection and curation of Lincoln-related historical artifacts, photographs, artwork, and ephemera following his assassination, ca. 1909-1930. The 10-piece archive documents the efforts of two major late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Lincolniana collectors, Osborn H. Oldroyd and Lewis G. Reynolds, to memorialize Lincoln and create the cult of personality that surrounds him to this day. The lot includes photographic reprints, engravings, signature clips, autograph letters signed, transmittal envelopes, business cards, and promotional booklets. Please refer to catalog photos for more information about condition, which is generally very good to near fine. The largest piece in the archive is a print measuring 6" x 8." From a recently discovered collection that has not seen the light of day for over 70 years!

The lot includes:

1. A cabinet card sized photographic reprint of Lincoln after Anthony Berger (born 1832, active 1860s) for Mathew Brady (1822-1896). The original photograph of Lincoln seated at 3/4 profile was taken on February 9, 1864 in the Cabinet Room at the White House by Berger, the superintendent of Mathew Brady’s Washington, D.C. gallery. The gelatin silver photograph is laid down on a black chipboard mount reading "--Oldroyd / --hington, D.C." verso and measuring 5" x 7.375" overall.

2. A cabinet card sized photographic reprint of Lincoln's deathbed scene after the ca. 1875 painting and engraving by Alexander Hay Ritchie (1822-1895). The gelatin silver photograph is laid down on a black chipboard mount measuring 5" x 7.125" overall.

3. A Bureau of Engraving & Printing engraving of Surgeon General of the U.S. Army Joseph K. Barnes (1817-1873), who was one of 25 people to have visited Lincoln's deathbed at the Peterson House. With minor to moderate discoloration, foxing, and a diagonal wrinkle extending through the portrait. 6" x 8."

4. A signature clip of Joseph K. Barnes, as "Jos Barnes," laid down on a stock mount, with minor toning.

5-6. A 1p autograph letter signed by Lewis G. Reynolds (1858-1940) as "Lewis G. Reynolds" near bottom. April 24, 1930, Washington, D.C. Inscribed in pencil on custom stationery with "Lewis Gardner Reynolds / Lincoln Relics Museum / 516 Tenth Street, N.W. / Washington, D.C." letterhead. Regarding several purchases made by A. Marino of Union City, New Jersey. 6.625" x 10.125." Accompanied by the original postmarked transmittal envelope engrossed by Reynolds.

7-8. A 1p autograph letter signed by Lewis G. Reynolds as "Lewis G. Reynolds" at lower right. October 23, 1930, Washington, D.C. Pen-inscribed on the aforementioned custom stationery. In part: "We are entirely out of the 'Deathbed Scene,' and will not have any more. Col. O.H. Oldroyd, whom you saw when you were here has passed on - Buried last Saturday - and we had the sale of pictures and things…" Accompanied by a postmarked transmittal envelope engrossed by Reynolds dating from April 1930.

9. A 4pp printed promotional booklet entitled "Books Published and for Sale by O.H. Oldroyd", ca. 1909, extensively annotated on the last page, almost certainly in the hand of Lewis G. Reynolds; the "Deathbed Scene - photo. (Cabinet size) 25¢" and the "Cabinet size photo of Lincoln (Brady's standard) 25¢" listed among these annotated entries correspond to Items #1 and #2 of our archive. 4.875" x 6.625."

10. A business card belonging to Lewis G. Reynolds, listing his profession as "Custodian / Lincoln Relics Museum / 516 Tenth Street, N.W. / (House in Which Lincoln Died) / Washington, D.C."

Osborn H. Oldroyd (1842-1930) was, as the promotional booklet describes him, a "well-known authority on the life of Abraham Lincoln…and collector of Lincolniana." Oldroyd served as an Ohio Volunteer in the Union Army from 1861-1865, participating at the Siege of Vicksburg. Following the Civil War, Oldroyd and his family lived at Lincoln's former home in Springfield, Illinois, which he turned into the Lincoln Museum in 1884 to house his growing collection of Lincoln memorabilia. The Oldroyds moved into the Peterson House in the 1890s, where Oldroyd served as the first curator of the Lincoln Relics Museum. Oldroyd sold 3,000 pieces of his collection to the U.S. Government around 1925.

Lewis G. Reynolds was selected as Oldroyd's successor as curator of the Lincoln Relics Museum. Reynolds is remembered as the last living person to have met the living Lincoln, when, as a 6-year-old boy in 1864, Reynolds sat on the president's lap during a visit to the White House. During his 10-year-long tenure as "custodian" and principal interpreter of the Lincoln Relics Museum, Reynolds continued Oldroyd's mission to commemorate Lincoln. He also oversaw the relocation of the museum from the Peterson House to Ford's Theatre from 1931-1932.

Please refer to our conditions of sale for large lots.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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December 14, 2022 11:00 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
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$50,000 + $5,000