Description:

MARY TODD LINCOLN''S BLACK MOURNING PARASOL
A rare and important Mary Lincoln mourning item, a folding black mourning parasol used by Mary Todd Lincoln and descended in the family through her son Robert Todd Lincoln. The 23 1/4" parasol opens to about 18 1/2" with black cloth on the exteriorior and lined in white silk. The shaft of the parasol and the tips of the supporting ribs are made of ivory, the shaft bearing an intricately-carved design. The shaft bears a hinge at center, allowing it to be folded and a brass sleeve is used to secure it in the open position. There are two clean splits on the outside of the parasol, more within, otherwise this relic is in excellent condition. Following the death of her husband, Mrs. Lincoln remain in mourning dress for the rest of her life. The parasol is accompanied by substantial provenance in the form of three letters from direct Lincoln descendants. It includes: a copy of the August 16, 1977 signed affidavit of ROBERT TODD LINCOLN BECKWITH, the grandson of Abraham and Mary Lincoln''s son, ROBERT TODD LINCOLN. In the affidavit, Beckwith states that his grandmother, Mary Harlan Lincoln (Robert''s wife), had left several trunks in the attic of "Hildene", the estate she and her husband Robert Todd Lincoln owned in Manchester, Vermont. Beckwith further attests that he had been bequeathed these trunks and upon opening them, discovered items his grandmother had indicated with notes as having been owned by Mary Todd Lincoln. Beckwith lists the objects, many obviously Mary Lincoln''s, along with "3 Carriage parasols". In a Sep. 12, 1977 "Deed of Gift", Beckwith gives "1 Parasol" mentioned in the affidavit to Margaret Fristoe (Beckwith), his wife. A June 21st, 2010 notarized statement from Lenora Fristoe Hoverson, daughter of Margaret Fristoe Beckwith is also present again setting forth the background on the family-owned Mary Lincoln items, her family tree, and her consignment of pieces to Cowan''s Auction. Finally, there is a July 8, 2010 letter from Cowan''s sending the original of Lenora Hoverson''s affidavit. Solid provenance on a piece so representative of Lincoln''s assassination and his widow''s tragic life thereafter.

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May 10, 2017 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000