Wife of President Abraham Lincoln (1818-1882) and First Lady from 1861 to 1865. Born into a wealthy Southern family, Mary Todd wed Lincoln in 1842 and bore him four sons, three of whom predeceased her (two as children). Known for her lavish spending and interest in spiritualism, Mrs. Lincoln was viewed by many of her detractors as overbearing and meddlesome; Lincoln’s longtime secretary, John Hay, characterized her as “the hellcat.” As her mental condition continued to deteriorate and her behavior became more erratic following the assassination of her husband, Mrs. Lincoln was committed to an insane asylum by her only surviving son, Robert. After her release she spent several years in France before dying at the residence of her sister in Springfield, Illinois, where she had spent her early years with Lincoln, at the age of 63. Scarce war-dated ALS as first lady, signed “Mrs. Lincoln,” one page, 5 x 8, Executive Mansion letterhead, November 2, 1864. Mr. Lincoln writes to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles six days before her husband’s re-election. In full: “James Eager desires a situation, as watchman or messenger. He is a very worthy man & any business given him, will be faithfully attended to & thankfully received.” Letters from Mary Lincoln to members of her husband’s cabinet are extremely uncommon; the last such example to be offered at auction was evidently an 1861 letter to Secretary of the Interior Caleb Strong, which sold at Sotheby’s in 1987. In fine condition, with a small ink blot touching “Mrs.,” light horizontal folds, and a hint of subtle soiling. An impressive scarcity from this most storied of first ladies! Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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