Description:

Robert Todd Lincoln
Burlington, IA, n.d.
R. Todd Lincoln Personally Owned Spectacles, From Collection of Dr. John K. Lattimer
Other
A pair of brass bi-focal spectacles owned by Robert Todd Lincoln, eldest surviving son of Abraham Lincoln. Housed within a 2" x 5" leather case gilt-stamped "Charles Waldin, Jeweler and Optician, 305 Jefferson St., Burlington, Iowa." The optician's location is noteworthy, as Mount Pleasant, Iowa- hometown of Mary Harlan Lincoln- is a mere 30 miles west of Burlington. Indeed, Lincoln and his family would pass many summers in Mount Pleasant with Mary's relatives. The glasses exhibit moderate wear, including light tarnishing to brass frame and scuffing to lenses; evident discoloration to bi-focals. The accompanying case features expected degrees of rubbing and markings throughout. Otherwise, very well preserved.

The glasses have been "identified and attributed to Robert Todd Lincoln by Mr. James Hickey, retired Lincoln Curator of the Illinois State Historical Society," per an accompanying copy of an affidavit by David Rowland. The document notes that they were received from Robert Todd Lincoln's wife, Mary Harlan Lincoln, on or before February 26, 1894, and remained in his family's possession until 1985. The lineage of the glasses can be traced back to Rowland's great-great-grandfather, Joseph Leisenring, a photographer of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, who was a neighbor and friend of the Harlan family. Leisenring took several of the known, youthful photographs of the Lincolns' children, Mamie and Jack.

Provenance: The John Lattimer Collection of Lincolniana, Heritage Auctions, November 20, 2008. Includes copies of the original auction description and introductory letters by Tom Slater and Evan Lattimer, discussing the history of Lattimer's comprehensive collection.

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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  • Provenance: Affidavit by David Rowland.
  • Dimensions: 2" x 5"
  • Medium: Other

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September 18, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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Bid Increments
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$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000