MARY TODD LINCOLN'S BLACK MOURNING VEIL
A most important Lincoln assassination association item, a black mourning veil worn by his widow Mary Todd Lincoln and descended in the family through her son Robert Todd Lincoln. The 37" x 58" sheer silk veil has a very simply decorated edge but is otherwise plain. This veil would have sometimes have covered the bereaved widow's face when in public, but generally it would have been suspended from the top and rear of a black hat. Mrs. Lincoln suffered a nervous breakdown following the death of her husband, and also worn mourning for the rest of her life. The veil remains in as-new condition. The veil is accompanied by substantial provenance in the form of three letters from direct Lincoln descendants. It includes: a copy of the August 16, 1977 signed affidavit of ROBERT TODD LINCOLN BECKWITH, the grandson of Abraham and Mary Lincoln's son, ROBERT TODD LINCOLN. In the affidavit, Beckwith states that his grandmother, Mary Harlan Lincoln (Robert's wife), had left several trunks in the attic of "Hildene", the estate she and her husband Robert Todd Lincoln owned in Manchester, Vermont. Beckwith further attests that he had been bequeathed these trunks and upon opening them, discovered items his grandmother had indicated with notes as having been owned by Mary Todd Lincoln. Beckwith lists the objects, many obviously Mary Lincoln's, along with "2 Mourning veils". In a Sep. 12, 1977 "Deed of Gift", Beckwith gives "1 Mourning Veil" mentioned in the affidavit to Margaret Fristoe (Beckwith), his wife. A June 21st, 2010 notarized statement from Lenora Fristoe Hoverson, daughter of Margaret Fristoe Beckwith is also present again setting forth the background on the family-owned Mary Lincoln items, her family tree, and her consignment of pieces to Cowan's Auction. Finally, there is a July 8, 2010 letter from Cowan's sending the original of Lenora Hoverson's affidavit. Solid provenance on a piece so representative of Lincoln's assassination and his widow's tragic life thereafter.