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

In three volumes; 8vo. Numerous illustrations from photographs and engravings. Original dark blue cloth, spines lettered and stamped in gilt, light rubbing at extremities, front joint in first volume tender; top edges gilt; small split at front free endpaper near foot, possibly reinserted to flyleaf; in morocco-backed folding case.

FIRST EDITION, “based on Herndon’s intimate, first–hand knowledge, this will always be the most authoritative single source for Lincoln’s early period” (Howes).

INSCRIBED IN FIRST VOLUME, "To Wm. H. Townsend, Lexington Ky. 'The record of a man who read less and thought more than any other man of his day and generation' with the regards of Jesse W. Weik, Greencastle Ind. Sep. 23 1921." Jesse William Weik (1857–1930) meticulously researched Abraham Lincoln's life through firsthand interviews and site visits. As a special examiner for the U.S. Pension Bureau in 1882, he took the opportunity to interview individuals in Springfield, Illinois, who had known Lincoln, including Lincoln’s brother-in-law, Ninian Edwards. He scrutinized local courthouses and sorted through "cobwebs" of conflicting legends to extract factual accounts. Weik expanded his research by traveling to Lincoln’s birthplace in Kentucky, investigating questions about his birth and ancestry, and retraced Lincoln’s boyhood in southern Indiana. In collaboration with William H. Herndon, Lincoln’s former law partner, Weik combined these findings with Herndon’s recollections and primary documents to co-author this work, the first authoritative Lincoln biography. Monaghan 1049.

[With:] WEIK, Jesse William. Autograph letter signed, tipped in at rear of first volume, to William H. Townsend, dated 27 July 1922; with envelope. Weik writes to Townsend regarding his article, "Lincoln in Lexington," that was recently published. "I have read it with the deepest appreciation—in fact it was so interesting I preserved it by inserting it in my Lincoln Scrap Book—a large volume which was made for me years ago and unto which I have pasted only such things about immortal Railsplitter as are worthy of preservation..."

Provenance:

William H. Townsend (1890-1964), renowned Lincoln historian, author, and collector, who many recognize as having had the largest private collection of Lincolniana in the United States (recipient of author's inscription, and his book-plate)

Justin G. Turner, collector (his book-plate)

Previously sold, his sale, Charles Hamilton Galleries, 25 October 1967, lot 141

Louise Taper, Beverly Hills, California (her book-plate)