Lincoln’s Legacy: Historic Americana from the Life of Abraham Lincoln

8vo. Numerous sample steel-engravings, including a portrait of Lincoln; subscription forms filled in at end. Original dark brown cloth, stamped in blind, rebacked, preserving original spine and endpapers, light rubbing to extremities; publisher's binding samples on paste-downs.

[With:] Two 2-volume sets of The Great Rebellion: one set in publisher's deluxe morocco, rubbing; the other set in original cloth, rebacked preserving original spines.

Together, 3 works in 5 volumes, all housed in a morocco-backed slip case and chemises.

SALESMAN'S DUMMY SIGNED BY ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND MEMBERS OF HIS CABINET, AS SUBSCRIBERS. Lincoln's entry reads: "A. Lincoln, Washington D.C. Library" (identifying the binding style he ordered). Below Lincoln's inscription is that of William H. Seward, Lincoln's Secretary of State. Other subscriber signatures include members of Lincoln's cabinet: Salmon P. Chase, Gideon Welles, Montgomery Blair, Alexander Gardner, Peter Cooper, as well as over one hundred other individuals.

Despite their initial differences and competition for the 1860 Republican presidential nomination, Lincoln and Seward's relationship is best characterized by their mutual respect and confidence in one another. John Hay, Lincoln's aide, described it as "a friendship so absolute and sincere as that which existed between these two magnanimous spirits." Seward quickly recognized Lincoln's leadership, with Hay noting, "Seward was the first man who recognized the President's stature." Lincoln valued Seward's counsel, often seeking his advice on crucial matters. For instance, Lincoln showed Seward drafts of important speeches, including his First Inaugural Address and the Gettysburg Address. Their collaboration was pivotal in shaping Union foreign policy, with Lincoln asserting, "There is but one vote in the Cabinet, and that is cast by the President."

On 14 April 1865, as part of the broader conspiracy to assassinate President Lincoln, an attempt was made on the life of Seward. Lewis Thornton Powell, a former Confederate soldier, was ordered by John Wilkes Booth to kill him. At approximately 10:10 PM, Powell arrived at Seward's home on Lafayette Square, where the Secretary was bedridden, recovering from injuries sustained in a carriage accident. Powell gained entry by claiming he had medicine for Seward. After a confrontation with Seward's son Frederick, during which Powell's gun misfired, he forced his way into Seward's bedroom. Powell violently attacked Seward with a Bowie knife, slashing his face and neck. Fortunately, the metal splint Seward was wearing for his recent injuries deflected some of the blows, likely saving his life. In the ensuing struggle, Powell also wounded Seward's daughter Fanny, his son Augustus, and his bodyguard Sergeant George Robinson. Powell fled the scene but was arrested three days later at Mary Surratt's boarding house. He was subsequently tried and executed along with other conspirators in July 1865.

Provenance:

Louise Taper, Beverly Hills, California