American Historical Ephemera & Photography

7 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. partially printed check drawn on Springfield Marine & Fire Insurance Company, accomplished in Lincoln's hand and signed ("A. Lincoln"). Payable to "W.B. Farnham" for the sum of $30.45. Detailed ship engraving at left margin. Small punch cancellation near center of ship engraving, normal cut cancellation through check (even toning, light scattered soiling). With 8 x 2 1/2 in. leather case in which the check was previously stored. The check was given to Mary Atwood Pool by Abraham Lincoln's daughter-in-law Mary Harlan Lincoln through Mrs. Lincoln’s attorney, Frederic N. Towers (Frost, Myers & Towers, Washington, DC) in 1933.

The check is accompanied by 2 typed letters signed on behalf of Mary Harlan Lincoln by Frederic N. Towers. The letters include: Typed letter signed ("F.N. Towers"), addressed to Miss Mary Atwood. Washington, DC, 14 November 1933. 1 1/2 pages, 8 x 10 in., on "Frost, Myers & Towers" letterhead, folds, light edge wear. Towers thanks Ms. Pool for her note, relating that Mrs. Lincoln read it with "great interest" and "is going to break her rule and send you, very soon, an autograph." Ms. Pool subsequently received the personal check signed by President Lincoln offered here. -- Typed letter signed ("Frederic N. Towers"), addressed to Miss Mary Atwood. Washington, DC, 6 December 1935. 1 page, 6 x 8 1/2 in., on "3014 N Street, Washington, DC" letterhead, folds. Towers writes a letter of thanks to Ms. Pool on behalf of Mrs. Lincoln. 

[With:] LINCOLN, Robert Todd (1843-1926), eldest son of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, lawyer, military officer, businessman, and politician. Personal check signed ("Robert T. Lincoln"). Manchester Center, VT, 9 August 1923. 8 x 3 in. partially printed check drawn on the Factory Point National Bank. Payable to "Vt. Hydro Elec Co." for the sum of $16.28 (small tear near center, few small holes, adhesive and paper residue on verso, light edge wear). The check was given to Ms. Pool by Mary Harlan Lincoln via her attorney Frederic N. Towers.

[Also with:] LINCOLN, Mary Harlan (1846-1937), wife of Robert Todd Lincoln. 6 x 4 1/4 in. piece of paper signed ("Mary H. Lincoln"), with the address "3014 N. St." written in the same hand. The signature is accompanied by a 3 x 4 in. vintage photograph (mounted on paper) showing the front of what appears to be the Laird-Dunlop House, which stands at 3014 N Street NW, the address referenced on the clipped signature. The house was purchased in 1911 by Robert Todd Lincoln. He spent time between this home in Georgetown and his estate Hildene, located in Manchester, VT, until his death at Hildene in 1926. Mary Harlan Lincoln continued to live in both homes until her death in Washington, DC, in 1937.

Together, 6 items related to Abraham Lincoln and his family. 

Provenance: Descended directly in the family of Mary Atwood Pool (1914-2009). Washington, DC, resident Mary Atwood Pool began collecting autographs of notable American historical figures at the age of 14, with each autograph acquired by her direct communication with the historical figure, their staff, family members, or attorneys. Additional information regarding the collection is available upon request.