The FIRST item cataloged by Monaghan revealing Lincoln’s name in print...
the prohibitively rare #M–1!

1. Lincoln, Abraham. Illinois Legislature H.R. 11th Assembly Public lands in Illinois. January 17, 1839. Read, laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. Mr. Lincoln, from the committee on finance, made the following report…1839. 4 pages, very good with minor foxing as is typical, with the left edge showing some very slight traces of having been bound as usual for this rare work. This is the extremely scarce and desirable first listing in Monaghan of a printed Lincoln item. Housed in a folded slip-case with a leather back and labels and marbled boards. A wonderful piece and cornerstone item for a Lincoln imprint collection... a prohibitive opportunity! (Est. $4,000-5,000)

Abraham Lincoln Addresses the Dred Scott Decision

2.  Speech of the Hon. Abram [sic] Lincoln, in Reply to Judge Douglas. Delivered in Representatives’ Hall, Springfield, Illinois, June 26th 1857, 7pp. 8vo., unbound folded sheet, uncut with wide margins. This is a scarce and early imprint of a speech given by Lincoln responding to a speech given by Stephen Douglas two weeks earlier mainly tackling the Dred Scott decision. In part: “...That decision declares two propositions — first, that a negro cannot sue in the U.S. Courts; and secondly that Congress cannot prohibit slavery in the Territories. It was made by a divided court — dividing differently on the different points...I have said, in substance , that the Dred Scott decision was, in part, based on assumed historical facts which were not really true...Judge Taney, in delivering the opinion of the majority of the Court, insists at great length that negroes were no part of the people who made, or for whom was made, the Declaration of Independence, or the Constitution of the United States. On the contrary, Judge Curtis, in his dissenting opinion shows that in five of the thirteen States...free negroes were voters, and, in proportion to their numbers, had the same part in making the Constitution the white people had...” This is an important speech – Lincoln would use many of the same arguments in his famous House Divided speech a year later delivered to a thousand Republican delegates in Springfield who would choose him to run against Stephen Douglas for the U.S. Senate. This imprint is in good to very good condition with pristine wide margins, bright paper, dark print. The last example to sell at auction realized more than $2,600. A great rarity with exceptional significance. (Est. $2,000-2,500)

3. Rare copy of the Debates in wraps.
Political Debate Between Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen A. Douglas… Columbus, Follett, Foster and Co. 1860. #M-69 in fitted wraps completely original…(never issued with blank covers) stitching is tight and in very fine condition, usual light foxing. 268pp. The legendary Lincoln dealer Ralph Newman handled only a few copies in his lifetime, this copy purchased from Howard S. Mott book sellers in 1975… FAR more rare than the celebrated first edition. (David Leroy’s recent study, Mr. Lincoln’s Book, Publishing the Lincoln - Douglas Debates writes, “Recognizing the paper - wrapped issue as a separate edition gives the collector a total of eight books to pursue.” (Leroy has a separate numbering of issues apart from Wesson, Monaghan, McMurtry, and Warren, and gives this issue its own numbered edition.) As the debates moved across Illinois in 1858, Lincoln saved the newspaper accounts of the contest. He posted these columns into scrapbooks which eventually become this volume of the Debates.  (Est. $1,000-1,500)

4. Political Debates Between Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, Columbus: Follett, Foster and Co. Boston Crosby Nichols, Lee, and Co. New York; M. Doolady, Pittsburgh Hunt and Minor. Cincinnati; Rickey, Mallory and Co. 1860. This fine copy the 3rd edition, 5th state (B) according to Ernest J. Wessen (Bibliographical Society of America, Vol. Forty, No. 2, 1946.) Wessen notes: “This is the rarest, and perhaps the most important issue of this book.” (This particular volume came from the famed Lincoln collector Harry T. Lytle with his red ink notation on inside cover paste down.) “The four-page insert is present, arranged as follows: (1) Advertisement for William T. Coggeshall’s Poet and Poetry of the West; (2) to (4) [erroneously renumbered 5, by the printer].” Page 2 has caption “To The Public” with Douglas’s letter of objection to the publication believing his speeches were “altered and mutilated”; followed by the publisher listing corrections with letter to Douglas. Some fade to spine, star imprint on cover, a clean, tight copy, clean end sheets, very fine condition.  (Est. $400-600)

A treasure of published Americana...
The earliest obtainable copy of the Gettysburg Address. THREE COPIES!

5. Address of His Excellency John A. Andrew... together with Accompanying Documents, January 8, 1864. (Wright & Potter, State Printers, Boston: 1864.) Listed as the second varient of Monaghan #193, this is considered likely the third printing of this landmark speech in book/booklet form. (The one true “first” remains a Holy Grail for bibliophiles as only three copies are believed to remain extant – the copy from the Forbesʼ Collection was privately resold last year year for $800,000.) The Accompanying Senate Documents include the Programme of Arrangements detailing the Order of Exercises for the Inauguration of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg... as well as Edward Everett’s oration and the “Dedicatory Speech by President Lincoln.” This extremely fresh and tight copy in pink printed wraps includes the oft missing folded-in map of the Cemetery. Period presentation inscription on cover detracts little. A handsome copy.   (Est. $1,000-1,500)

6. [Gettysburg Address] Address of His Excellency John A. Andrew... together with Accompanying Documents... (Wright & Potter, State Printers, Boston: 1864.) Another copy of #M-193(v), this in titled brown wraps, 1” light waterstain at bottom, map intact, overall tight and clean.  (Est. $750-1,200)

7. [Gettysburg Address] Address of His Excellency John A. Andrew... together with Accompanying Documents... (Wright & Potter, State Printers, Boston: 1864.) Another copy of #M-193(v), also in titled brown wraps, presentation inscription at top, 2” loss at bottom of back wrap with some chipping at spine, map intact, a fine copy.  (Est. $700-900)

8. The President’s Hymn: GIVE THANKS ALL YE PEOPLE, IN RESPONSE TO THE PROCLAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, RECOMMENDING A GENERAL THANKSGIVING, ON NOVEMBER 26TH, 1863. Published by A.D.F. Randolph, NY; 3pp., tall narrow. Features lyrics written by Rev. Dr. William A. Muhlenberg, rector of Holy Communion Episcopal parish, a founder of St. Luke’s Hospital and benefactor of the Midnight Mission for fallen women. Despite anti-slavery convictions and voting for Lincoln (whose victory he thought a “triumph of humanity…over mammon”) Muhlenberg tried to keep above politics; he wrote but never published an 1860 campaign song and when he voiced qualms about titling this hymn, his friend Robert Minturn of the Union League Club sent Lincoln an early version, asking approval of the present title. The President telegraphed in reply “So let it be.” The hymn quickly gained national popularity and graced the cover of Harper’s Weekly (Dec. 5, 1863), with publication proceeds put in a fund for widows and orphans of soldiers. Muhlenberg was a veteran of the 1863 New York draft riots, calming a mob that wanted to burn his hospital for treating policemen. This hymn asks the people to give thanks for their country’s bounty, freedoms, soldiers, and leader; extends solace to those “wailing” their dead; and, rather prefiguring the Second Inaugural Address, concludes “Our guilt and transgressions remember no more; Peace, Lord! Righteous Peace, of Thy gift we implore; And the Banner of Union, restored by Thy Hand, Be the Banner of Freedom o‘er All in the Land.” A scarce printed work. (Est. $100-200)

A touching, Lincoln story – a Civil War favorite that spoke to his great humanity.
9. The Sleeping Sentinel by Francis De Haes Janvier. Published in 1863 (T. B. Peterson, Philadelphia.) First edition, 19pp., original titled wrappers. The incidents detailed in this work are woven into verse and relate to William Scott, a young soldier from the state of Vermont who, while on duty as a sentinel at night, fell asleep. Having been condemned to die, Scott was pardoned by the President. Great Civil War poetry that was first read January 19, 1863 “to a select circle at the Executive Mansion” in the presence of the President and Mrs. Lincoln.  (Est. $150-200)

10. A fascinating study, The War Powers of the President and the Legislative Powers of Congress in Relation to Rebellion Treason and Slavery, 143pp. in green wraps, 4th edition, by William Whiting, a Connecticut Representative and Solicitor of the War Department. Whiting composed this work only months before Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, discussing the legal implications of Emancipation including the distinction between emancipation and confiscation as related to Lincoln’s executive authority in the Civil War. Presentation inscription at top, tight and clean.  (Est. $100-150)

A very scarce work.
11. The Life and Administration Of Abraham Lincoln, Presenting his Early History, Political Career, Speeches, Messages, Proclamations, Letters, Etc., With A General View of His Policy As President Of the United States, Embracing The Leading Events of The War, Also the European Press On His Death, G.W. Bacon. (London: Sampson Low, Son, And Marston, 1865.) First edition, original blue cloth stamped in blind and in gilt, 183pp. with a folding map. #M-383. This factual biography was written from American sources for British consumption. It was later translated into the Dutch language (M-3756). This quite scarce copy from the Chicago-area Lincoln collector Joseph Eisendrath Jr.  (Est. $700-900)

12. By his bodyguard and close friend: The Life of Abraham Lincoln: From His Birth to His Inauguration by Ward Hill Lamon. (James Osgood, Boston: 1872.) 547pp., #M-926, red-cloth boards show sunning, some stains, loose at spine as typically found in this heavy volume. A scarce biography written by an “insider.”  (Est. $100-200)

13. Limited to just 99 Copies. Letter to Abraham Lincoln. By Manton Marble, Editor of ‘The World.’ (Privately printed, New York: 1867.) 25pp., quarto, limited to 99 copies, in original cloth binding with gold embossed title. A reprint of the original 1864 letter by the author’s friends – Marble protested the temporary seizure and closing of his newspaper by Federal authority in response to publishing the “bogus proclamation” in which Lincoln supposedly called for a day of fasting and prayer due to the bleak military outlook. (That proclamation was actually created by one Joseph Howard in an effort to manipulate the gold market and drive prices up!!) Quite scarce, #M-329, very fine. (Est. $150-250)

14. For the true bibliophile. Pamphlet, “Official Records of the War of the Rebellion”, 8pp., Washington, D.C., July 1, 1897. The prospectus and price-list of what became accepted as the definitive work on the Civil War. Annotated, light soiling. The O.R. remains a standard reference source – copies issued in huge numbers. But,  this is the first prospectus for this monumental compilation we have encountered!      (Est. $100-200)

15. Republican Party history and personal reminisciences. Birth of the Republican Party. With a Brief History of the Important Part Taken by the Original Republican Association of the National Capital. An Address... At a Reunion of the Surviving Members of the Republican Association of 1855 to 1861, and of the Wide-Awakes... Lewis Clephane. (Gibson Bros., Washington, D.C.: 1889) 36pp. with details on the 1860 campaign and first inauguration.       (Est. $40-60)

16. Lincoln and the Fair Sex: Remarks before the Millersburg Chapters, Order of the Eastern Star February 6, 1928, by John W. Starr, Jr. (Privately Printed, 1928.) Pamphlet limited to just 60 copies, this signed on cover “John W. Starr Jr. Millersburg April 12, 1928.” #M-3060 Another scarce piece of Lincolniana!      (Est. $40-60)

17. A tremendous rarity... Torrie, Hiram D., The Tragedy of Abraham Lincoln, in Five Acts, by an American Artist. (James Brown & Son, Glasgow, 1876). 57pp., wrappers, with copyright on reverse of the title page, “copyright, 1876, by H. D. Torrie.” (#M-948). According to Monaghan, only 15 copies were extant. A note by William E. Barton states that the play was written by an American actor for sale in Britain; the preface claims that source material was derived from John Hanks. Pale blue cover in very fine condition, dark back edge.    (Est. $750-1,000)

18. Regimental history. 38-page booklet: “The 69th Regiment in Peace and War. Historical Biographical Statistical” by William Francis Stanton Root. New York, The Blanchard Press 1905. Number 807 out of an edition of 1000, contained within original presentation slip cover.                     (OPEN)

19. First edition! The Photographs of Abraham Lincoln by Frederick Hill Meserve and Carl Sandburg. New York, Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1944, 24pp. with a large number of illustrations on glossy paper. Hardbound with original dust cover.   (Est. $80-120)

20. Lincoln A picture Story of his Life. First ed., signed by the author, Stefan Lorant. Published in 1952 with all the then known photos of Lincoln, and an additional 500 pictures, these signed limited editions once sold for $300-500. Original dust jacket with extensive creases and flaking housed in original box slip case, some separation at spine.     (Est. $100-150)

21. Autographed by Fay! 16-page booklet titled “Lincoln Tomb.” Undated, but likely issued in the 1920s by the State of Illinois. Inscribed in ink “H. W. Fay Custodian” on rear fly leaf. Mint condition.      (OPEN)

22. [Lincoln Literature] A Bibliographical Account of books and pamphlets relating to Abraham Lincoln by Daniel Fish…Published by the Board of Minneapolis, 1900. #M-1283 Published in paper covers, this copy bound early in green cloth with decorated end sheets. Some wear, very fine. Only 160 copies printed of this first edition.  (Est. $100-150)

23. Signed and numbered by a great Lincoln scholar. 12-page booklet “A Great Lincoln Collection”, being the text of a paper spoken before the East Tennessee Historical Society by R. Gerald McMurtry on March 7, 1941, describing the collection at Lincoln Memorial University at Harrogate, TN. Signed and numbered in white ink on the inside of the front cover. Mint condition.      (Est. $50-100)

24. An absolute requirement for any Lincoln library: a collection of issues of Lincoln Lore, published by Lincoln National Life Insurance Co. from 1929 to 2007. This set begins with No. 1, April 15, 1929 and runs through No. 1822, December 1990. It began as a single sheet weekly publication with Louis Warren as editor and then as a monthly four-page publication in 1956 with R. Gerald McMurty and Mark E. Neely Jr. Each issue is holed for three ring binders. This offering is a fairly complete set with minimal issues missing and some copies of earlier original issues not present (1929, 1931 and 1932 are copies of the originals). The issues are in excellent condition with reinforced holes for three-ring binders. A great deal of interesting and varied information including the annual “Lincoln Biography Cumulative.” An excellent opportunity to have a near original complete set from 1929 through 1990.             (Est. $500-750)

25. Lincoln Collector – The Story of the Oliver R. Barrett Lincoln Collection. A signed copy by the author Carl Sandburg. Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1949. Small 4to. Blue cloth, pictorial paper over boards slipcase. 344pp. Illustrations. Fine/near fine. Edition limited to 2425 numbered copies (this #655) signed by Sandburg. A superb copy in an excellent slipcase showing only slight wear. The tale of this Chicago attorney (1873-1950), the 20th century’s greatest Lincoln collector, and how he built his unparalleled Lincolniana collection at a time when the gettin’ was good will make any Lincoln collector faint of heart.  (Est.$100-200)

And... to go with the previous lot...

26. [Catalog/Reference] Parke-Bernet Galleries, The Oliver R. Barrett Lincoln Collection Public Auction...1952. 265pp. in blue cloth, illustrated, clean. Absolutely essential... the ONE catalog you MUST own! 842 lots of the finest LIncoln collection ever assembled. No one will ever be able to compile a collection of this magnitude again!        (Est.$80-100)

27. The COMPLETE set... the auctions that now set the standard! Arguably the most important manuscript collection to be disbursed in this century... only rivaled by the Sang Collection from the late 1970s. The Forbes Collection of American Historical Documents, Part One (March 2002) through Part Six (May 2007), hosted by Christie’s. Profusely illustrated, custom acetate sleeves, the first two auctions set 14 record prices alone – including for Lincoln! It will be some time before we see a collection of this magnitude to hit the market... great history and pricing references. The first two sessions are impossible to source as they were under-printed (the first catalog now commands $250 alone). Six (6) in total, an excellent read!    (Est. $200-300)

28. [Catalog Group] A fine selection of reference material. Five (5) necessary catalogs of historical Americana and Lincolniana: the huge Bracken Civil War Collection (Guernsey’s, 2001); one of the best theatre history collections with Booth material, The Boothbay Theatre Museum Collection (Oliver’s, 1990) – collection assembled by the great Franklyn Lenthall; the best single-owner auction of the past twenty years, the famed Zabriskie sale (Sotheby’s, 1999); the sale of Lloyd Ostendorf’s Lincoln photography (Bonhams, 2004); last year’s auction of Dr. John Lattimer’s truly monumental collection (Heritage, 2008). Fun reading, fine scholarship and eye-candy!  (OPEN)

29. The smallest Lincoln book ever published. Addresses of Abraham Lincoln. (Kingsport Press, Kingsport, TN: 1929). M-3105. The smallest book on Lincoln, 7/8 x 5/8”, 139pp., gilt edges, full red morocco. Excellent condition with perfect, tiny text – printed before the advent of computer-aided technology! Created for an exhibition of the Bookbinders of America at Boston, 1928. (A leading book dealer recently offered a copy for $1,500.) A fascinating piece– magnifying glass not included!   (Est. $300-500)