Lincoln carving made in late 1800s

#Middlebury #Antiques

President Abraham Lincoln has been memorialized in many ways since his death in 1865, but there are things that few people remember today.

1. 

   This folk-art carving of President Abraham Lincoln was made from a tree stump in the late 1800s. It is 47 inches tall. The sculpture sold for $1,800 at a recent Garth’s auction.

   The president and his wife, Mary Todd, had four sons. Three died young. “Eddie” (Edward Baker) Lincoln, born in 1846, died at 3 years old in 1850. “Willie” (William Wallace) was born in 1850 and died in 1862 at the age of 11. Son Thomas, called “Tad,” was born in 1853 and died at 18 in 1871. But their first-born son, Robert Todd, was born in 1843 and lived until 1926, passing at the age of 82.

2. President Lincoln was the tallest president. He was 6 feet, 4 inches tall.
3. Lincoln’s birthday is Feb. 12, 1809.
4. President Lincoln did not smoke and rarely drank alcohol. He drank water with meals.

Try some of President Lincoln’s favorite foods on President’s Day. One of his favorites was apples. He held an apple with his thumb and forefinger, and ate it from the bottom. Some say he also liked chicken fricassee with biscuits, and most reports say he enjoyed oyster stew. Mary Todd Lincoln used “Miss Leslie’s Complete Cookery” cookbook that is still available at bookstores today.

Q: Any guides for surviving asbestos contamination for collectors? Collector friends just had a roof collapse and their crowded house is contaminated. What can be saved?

A: Collectors have special problems. All upholstered furniture, textiles, clothing, medicine, food and more probably must go. Furniture can be reupholstered if the frame is valuable. Ceramics, glass, jewelry, bronzes and other hard-surface items probably can be cleaned but that requires special protective gear and instructions to avoid contact with dust. Dolls, most toys, paintings, photographs, books and everything paper may be contaminated.

The government and other sites online give detailed instructions. Search for specialized advice from collector clubs, blogs and government agencies. Don’t try to do this alone. The dust is almost invisible and will be stirred up if not properly removed. Store all the “safe” collectibles off-site until you know what to save. You can’t replace memories, but you can find more collectibles.

Q: Is there an easy way to spot a reproduction Booz cabin bottle? I know a lot were made.

A: Look at the raised word “WHISKEY” on the side of the bottle. On original Booz bottles, the top fork of the letter K is wider than the bottom fork. On most repros, the bottom fork is wider.

Current Prices
Beer bottle, Kuntz Lager, labeled, 1920s, 9 1/4 inches, $85.
Telephone, Northern Electric, oak, rotary dial, handset, 22 x 8 inches, $160.
Blanket chest, oak, rectangular lift top, 4 panels, stylized flowers, geometric borders, 28 x 54 inches, $340.
Chandelier, 6-light, roses, leaves, wrought metal, continental, c. 1925, 28 x 26 inches, $480.

TIP: If you have a dusty, dirty book, try rubbing or blotting the pages with a piece of white bread.

For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www.Kovels.com

© 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.