Description:

Abraham Lincoln
Philadelphia, PA, November 8, 1861
Lincoln-Owned Book 1 Of Few Known! Later Gifted by Mary Lincoln to Chicago Builder, Unique
Books

[ABRAHAM LINCOLN]. Samuel Sloan, "The Model Architect. A Series of Original Designs for Cottages, Villas, Suburban Residences, Etc. Accompanied by Explanations, Specifications, Estimates, and Elaborate Details. Prepared Exclusively for the Use of Projectors and Artisans Throughout the United States, 2 vols. New ed.," (Philadelphia, E. H. Butler & Co., 1860.) Vol II. Inscribed, "Hon. A. Lincoln / President of the United States / With kind regards Of the Author. / Phil'a Nov. 8, 1861." Additional ownership inscription: "Presented to M D Dean by Mrs Abraham Lincoln / April 1867 / M. D. Dean." Margins of inscribed leaf are irregular, with some losses in margins, and creased vertically, passing through the first inscription; binding is worn.

President Abraham Lincoln owned this copy of Sloan's Model Architect, presented to him by author Samuel Sloan in November 1861. After signing the volume on November 8, Sloan wrote to Lincoln on November 12:
"Accept with kind regards of the Author the several volumes of Architectural works, today forwarded by Express. Hoping they may be favourably received, both as a mark of respect to the Chief Magistrate of the Nation, and as a Testimonial of the progress of American Architecture. Having been much encouraged throughout the Country, induced me to undertake another important work on Architecture adapted to the wants of this Country, in the preparation of which will require some time spent in Europe, in order to procure the material for its preparation. in view of this I should be most happy to serve the Government in that Country, should there be a post within the bounds of Italy or ajacent thereto a position is the main object, as that would be of much importance, it would afford facilities in that Country that otherwise could not readily be obtained the capacity as remuneration would be of but little importance that not being the object of inquiry.
"Respectfully your obedient servant / Samuel Sloan."

In April 1867, Mary Lincoln gifted this volume to Munson D. Dean, a carpenter and builder in Chicago.

Samuel Sloan (1815-1884) was born in Pennsylvania and trained as a carpenter. He moved to Philadelphia in the mid-1830s and worked on the Eastern State Penitentiary and the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane construction projects. By 1851, he had won a commission to design the courthouse and jail for Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and designed "Bartram Hall" for famed Philadelphia engineer Andrew Eastwick (1806-1879), who invented the steam shovel and made a fortune building railroads for Russian Tsar Nicholas I. Sloan also designed for cotton planter Haller Nutt the octagonal mansion "Longwood" in Natchez, Mississippi, which was unfinished when construction had to be abandoned during the Civil War. He wrote several books on architecture, and he published many of his designs in Godey's Lady's Book. In 1867, he left Philadelphia for New York but later opened an office in Raleigh, North Carolina. He ultimately ended up building approximately twenty hospitals for the insane based on the "Kirkbride Plan" developed by psychiatrist Thomas Story Kirkbride (1809-1883). Kirkbride's plan emphasized exposure to natural light and air circulation for patients and extensive grounds for exercise and therapy.

M. D. Dean was likely Munson D. Dean (1826-1902), who was born in New York and became a carpenter and joiner. He moved to Chicago by 1860 and lived there until his death. In the 1860s and 1870s, he was a carpenter and builder in Chicago. By 1880, he was involved in real estate. He married Amelia A. Dean (1831-1866) in the 1840s, and they had five children. In April 1868, he married Elizabeth Dunbar Lockwood, with whom he had seven children.

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: 11" x 14.25" x 1.5"
  • Medium: Books

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