Description:

Abraham Lincoln
San Francisco, CA, August 26, 1889
Lincoln Monument Related TLS Referencing the "Resting place of the martyred President Abraham Lincoln" With Bonus Film Reel
Archive

An interesting lot related to the commemoration of 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), from the decades immediately after his assassination up through the mid-20th C. The lot is comprised of a 1p typed letter signed by Charles Nougues, a San Francisco lawyer, regarding a bequest to financially contribute to the "Resting place of the martyred President Abraham Lincoln," dated August 26, 1889; along with a bonus film reel of the educational program "They Lived With Lincoln," ex-Lincoln scholar King Hostick.

The lot includes:

1. A 1p typed letter signed by Charles Nougues as "Charl Nougues" at lower right. August 26, 1889. San Francisco, California. Typed on watermarked laid lightweight paper. Docketed "Chas. E. Nougues $100 Oct 11/89" verso. Addressed to John W. Bunn, treasurer of the Lincoln Monument Association of Springfield, Illinois. With a former collector's label and pencil-inscribed retail price verso. Expected folds commensurate with age, including isolated partial closed tears. Mounting tab remnants. Else near fine. 8" x 13."

In part:

"Dear Sir

Enclosed please find draft of the Bank of California on the Union National Bank Chicago for the sum of Twenty four hundred and ninety - even dollars and fifty cents at sight ($2497"50) being the proceeds of a check for twenty-five hundred dollars received by me for your account from O. F. von Rein as the sole surviving Executer of the Last Will and Testame[nt] of William Bein deceased and being the amount of the legacy lefty by the said Last Will and Testament to the 'Resting place of the martyred President Abraham Lincoln.' You will kindly acknowledge receipt of it and send me a memorandum showing that you have received the same from me. Of course as you are aware your receipt to the Executor was forwarded to me and by me has been delivered to him. What I want is simply something to show that you have as said Treasurer received the draft from me.

Yours truly

Charl Nougues."

Some historical context is provided by consulting John Carroll Power's book, "Abraham Lincoln: His Life, Public Service, Death and Great Funeral Cortege, with a History and Description of the National Lincoln Monument" (Chicago: H.W. Rokker, 1889). Paragraph breaks have been added to the lengthy excerpt for greater clarity.

"In January, 1889, the Lincoln Monument Association called upon Bullard & Bullard, architects, of Springfield, to make a thorough examination, and estimate the amount necessary to reconstruct and put every part of it in good condition. After devoting sufficient time to it, they reported that it would require $50,000...

Gen. Edwin A. Sherman, on August 4, 1888, 'A gentleman by the name of William Bein, of San Francisco, (deceased) has, among other bequests, given the sum of five hundred dollars each to the Lincoln Grand Guard of Honor and the National Lincoln Association (California Division); and, in addition thereto, 'to the resting place of the Martyred President, Abraham Lincoln, the sum of TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS…

With Gen. Sherman's first letter came a clipping from a newspaper, part of which was a copy of the will. We learn that Wm. Bein was a German by birth, was unmarried, and that his estate was probably worth a quarter of a million dollars... His only sister, Gertrude H. Bein, of Liege, Belgium, is, by the terms of the will, made the residuary legatee. Mr. Bein made his will June 18, 1888, and died July 16 - only twenty-eight days later.

A law of the State of California, relating to probate business, provides that, in all bequests to charitable institutions, the will shall be made thirty days before the death of the testator. The question as to the Lincoln Monument Association being a charitable institution could hardly be raised, for it is no part of the intention of the Association to pay out money for benevolent purposes... That is all happily set at rest by information from Messrs. H. H. W. Stroecker and Otto von Rhein, executors of the will of William Bein, deceased - through a letter dated June 14, 1889, from Chas. E. Nougues, who was appointed by the court, at the time the will was admitted to probate, to represent the absent heirs - to the Lincoln Monument Association.

In that letter, the very agreeable statement is made that Gertrude H. Bein, the residuary legatee, has waived her right to take advantage of the two days' want of time between the making of the will and the death of the testator, and has given orders that all bequests be paid, in compliance with the intentions of her brother, as expressed in his will. The Lincoln Monument Association held a meeting Monday, July 1, 1889, passed a resolution - accepting the legacy, and designating John W. Bunn, the Treasurer of the Association, to receive and receipt for the money, which will be paid any time after July 16, one year from the death of Mr. Bein."

2. Also accompanying the lot is a 16mm film wheel, approximately 1,200 feet, of an educational program entitled "They Lived With Lincoln," contained in a heavy-duty metal case, possibly from WBKB radio station (near Alpena, Michigan). The wheel is labeled and marker-inscribed, and measures 12.5" diameter. Housed in a larger burgundy case labeled in part: "Mr. George L. Cashman / Lincoln Tomb / Springfield, Illinois 62709 / ex King Hostick." One broken black canvas carrying strap, with weathering, else good. Overall size: 13" x 1.25."

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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  • Dimensions: 8" x 13"
  • Medium: Archive

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