April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/13/2023
A small fragment of black cloth measuring 1" x 3/8", mounted on a card bearing a wonderful brown ink inscription reading: “Piece of material from [coat] / Pres. Lincoln was wearing / when he was shot by / John Wilkes Booth in Fords / Theatre April 14th 1865.” The missing word is certainly “coat,” both from the context and the fact that the Brooks Brothers overcoat Lincoln wore to the theatre that night was given by Mrs. Lincoln to White House doorman Alphonse Dunn, and while in his possession much of the left shoulder and sleeve was cut up to satisfy the demand for keepsakes and relics. The coat, minus these pieces, was bequeathed to the museum at Ford’s Theatre by Dunn’s family in 1968. Comparable fragments are known. This one comes from the extensive and well-known collection of Dr. John K. Lattimer, who included Lincoln and other presidential material among his broad historical interests. CONDITION: Very good. The paper pieces and fragment are taped together. Losses to card as shown.
Item Dimensions: 6 - 5/8" X 4 - 3/4"