American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

A collection of more than 150 items assembled by Herbert Wells Fay, comprised of more than 65 books and related pamphlets. -- 50+ photographs including images printed from the original negatives as well as copy prints. -- 40+ letters exchanged with Fay.

Herbert Wells Fay (1859-1949), a native of DeKalb County, IL, was the custodian, historian, and tour guide of Abraham Lincoln's tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, IL, from 1921-1948. He was also a passionate, life-long collector of historical portraits and ephemera, most notably Lincoln-related photographs and artifacts. He began collecting historical portraits in 1886, focusing on international figures, US politicians, and well-known artists and authors. Fay's portrait collection was used to illustrate the National Cyclopedia of American Biography, of which he was associate editor.

The collection primarily contains books and pamphlets associated with Abraham Lincoln, with many titles signed and inscribed to Fay. Some highlights include:

Tributes to the Memory of Abraham Lincoln. Washington, 1885. -- The Truth from an Honest Man. The Letter of the President. Philadelphia, 1863. -- SWEETSER, Seth. Commemorative Discourse on the Death of Abraham Lincoln. Worcester, MA, 1865. --
In Memoriam: Abraham Lincoln Athenaeum Club. -- Obsequies of Abraham Lincoln, in the City of New York. New York, 1866. -- POWER, John C. Abraham Lincoln: His Life, Public Services, Death and Great Funeral Cortege. Chicago, 1889. -- FISH, Daniel. Lincoln Literature. A Bibliographical Account of Books and Pamphlets relating to Abraham Lincoln. Minneapolis, 1900.
Interleaved copy, with numerous additions in manuscript. Laid in: facsimiles of play-bills and proclamation; want lists of Major Lambert and Judd Stewart; supplements by Fish, and other Lincoln reference data. -- CUSHMAN, Charles Rowley. Memorial Addresses Delivered Before the Two Houses of Congress on the Life and Character of Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, William McKinley. Washington, 1903. -- Abraham Lincoln Association Papers. Springfield, IL, 1937. Signed by several individuals, and inscribed to Fay. -- STIDGER, William. Giant Hours with Poet Preachers. New York. Signed and inscribed to Fay. -- STIDGER, William. The Place of Books in the Life We Live. New York. Signed and inscribed to Fay. -- TOWNSEND, William H. Lincoln the Litigant. Boston, 1925. Signed and inscribed to Fay. -- The Lincoln Douglas Debates, 1858. Vol. III. Pub. by Illinois State Historical Library, Springfield, 1908. Signed and inscribed to Fay. With Fay's bookplate. -- EVANS, W.A. Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. Signed and inscribed to Fay. -- WARREN, Raymond. The Prairie President. Chicago, 1930. Signed and inscribed to Fay. -- And others.

Additional details available upon request.