July 2013 Auction Ends Tuesday, July 23rd, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2013
Desk used by Abraham Lincoln while serving as a member of the House of Representatives for the State of Illinois. Lincoln was elected to the Illinois General Assembly as a member of the Whig Party at the age of 25 in 1834. He was re-elected to three more terms, in 1836, 1838 and 1840, and used this desk during his last two terms from 1838-1842. Desk is accompanied by several letters of provenance, one handwritten on 28 May 1920 detailing the desk's history. In this letter titled ''Abe Lincoln's Old Desk'', the writer tells of a note from 1857 that was found underneath the desk, ''...this desk was used by Abraham Lincoln during his last two terms as a member of the Illinois Legislature...It was afterwards occupied by J. Graham a personal friend of Lincoln who acquired its possession and ownership when the state replaced the old fashioned desks by new ones...'' Additional letters of authenticity confirm this anecdotal story; James Hickey, the Lincoln curator of the Illinois State Historical Library offers to buy the desk in a letter dated 17 February 1976 and also writes on 2 February 1976: ''...It is our opinion that the desk which you have was probably one used in the House of Representatives in the State House at Vandalia, Illinois, and was moved to Springfield in July 1839 when the state government was officially moved by Proclamation of the Governor. As the new Capitol Building was not yet finished, the legislature used a church building for the sessions...As Dr. Temple wrote you, the Graham mentioned in your history of the desk could be John G. Graham, a member of the Legislature from Fulton County from 1858-1864, and could have come into possession of the desk you have which could have been used in the State House at Vandalia, moved to Springfield, and used in the church until replaced in December 1840 when the legislature moved into the new building and had new desks...'' Finally, a letter of provenance by Lincoln scholar Wayne C. Temple, dated 29 January 1976, reads in part: ''...My personal opinion is that your desk certainly came from the Illinois State Legislature...'' Desk has typical, though minor wear from age and was once repaired as indicated in the handwritten letter of provenance. A scarce and important item used by Abraham Lincoln, immediately taking its viewer back to mid-19th century America when the future President was forming his opinions as a young legislator.
Incredibly Scarce Desk Used By Abraham Lincoln in 1838-1842, While Serving in the Illinois General Assembly -- With Excellent Provenance
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