From Overlooked to Iconic: How Expert Research Transformed a Mary Lincoln–Signed Volume into a Landmark Presidential Artifact

Image by Freeman's Auction

In the world of rare books and historical documents, value isn’t always visible at first glance. Sometimes, it takes expert eyes and deeper scholarship to unearth the true weight of an artifact. That was precisely the case with our acquisition of a leather-bound 1860 edition of The Life of George Washington by Washington Irving, boldly signed “Mary Lincoln / 1860” and originally housed in the Lincoln family library during Abraham Lincoln’s rise to the presidency.

 

At first, it appeared as just one volume in a larger set. But with the help of a world-renowned Lincoln expert, we traced its provenance, contextualized its moment in time, and elevated it from a collector’s curiosity to a historically significant link between two of America’s greatest presidents — Washington and Lincoln.

A Landmark Lincoln Family Artifact

The copies of The Life of George Washington (Volume I-V), published by G.P. Putnam of New York and completed in 1859, were signed by Mary Todd Lincoln in 1860, the very year her husband emerged onto the national stage and won the presidency. That date situates the book at one of the most consequential turning points in American political history.

On February 27, 1860, Abraham Lincoln delivered the Cooper Union Address, a speech that catapulted him from regional politician to national contender. In that speech, he directly quoted Washington’s Farewell Address, which appears in Volume V of Irving’s series. While the present example is Volume I, it belonged to the same household set and was signed by Mary Lincoln during the campaign year. That makes this not just a family book but a documented artifact of the Lincolns’ intellectual and political life at a moment when history was in motion.

A Window Into the Lincoln Family Library

This volume is further enhanced by its provenance. It comes from the renowned Louise & Barry Taper Collection, one of the most important privately held Lincoln assemblages, long preserved at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield, Illinois.

The inscription — “Mary Lincoln / 1860” — appears in period ink on the front flyleaf, written in her characteristically elegant hand. Measuring 5" x 7.5" x 1.25", the book is bound in full leather with gilt-tooled spine panels and marbled endpapers. There is moderate edge and corner wear consistent with 19th-century domestic use, but the volume remains structurally sound. Most notably, the inscription page is remarkably clean and well-preserved, making it a rare surviving relic from a presidential household.

The intellectual value of the book continued into the White House. In a letter dated July 26, 1862, Mary Lincoln wrote to Commissioner Benjamin Brown French describing the purchase of new books for the White House library. Among the titles she mentioned was a “history of Washington” purchased by Abraham Lincoln himself. While not the same edition, this detail confirms that George Washington’s legacy was actively preserved and studied in the Lincoln home, reinforcing the symbolic resonance of Mary’s ownership of this Irving volume.

The Freeman’s Sale: Spotlight and Opportunity

This book first came to market as part of Freeman’s Auction Sale 6441, titled “Lincoln’s Legacy: Historic Americana from the Life of Abraham Lincoln.” This highly publicized event featured artifacts de-accessioned from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum. The sale made headlines, but not for this volume.

Media attention focused almost exclusively on assassination-related relics, including the bloodstained glove believed to have been worn by Lincoln the night of his murder, mourning pieces, and other visually dramatic items. The national conversation revolved around those artifacts and the museum’s decision to sell them, drawing attention to only a handful of headline lots.

That intense focus created a rare opportunity for overlooked treasures. The full five-volume Irving set, which included Mary Lincoln’s signed Volume I, sold as a single lot for just $10,880. This surprising undervaluation occurred because the true historical importance of the set, particularly the signed volume, was not emphasized during the sale.

While the headlines focused on tragedy, this book offered something more enduring — a quiet but profound connection between the ideals of George Washington and the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. We recognized this and took action.

How Expert Research Changed Everything

Understanding the book’s deeper value, we brought in a top Lincoln scholar to provide verification and insight. Their research confirmed:

• The inscription is authentic and consistent with Mary Todd Lincoln’s handwriting.
• The date of 1860 places the volume squarely within the Lincoln household during the campaign.
• The set was likely read, referenced, and valued by the family, particularly given Abraham Lincoln’s quotation of Washington in the Cooper Union Address.
  
•  The book’s provenance connects it directly to the Louise & Barry Taper Collection and the holdings of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.
  
• This careful documentation, combined with expert analysis, transformed the narrative around the volume. It was no longer simply a signed book — it became a document of presidential transition and a tangible bridge between two historic administrations.
  

The Market Response: Research Pays Off

Following our research, we separated and carefully cataloged the volumes. The result:

The signed Volume I sold at University Archives for $11,250, including buyers premium, surpassing the price paid for the original five-volume set.

Volume II later sold at RR Auction for $6,500.

Volume III is currently available for sale at University Archives.

Bid here: Mary Lincoln Owned & Signed "Life of George Washington," From Lincoln Family Library, Dated 1860, During Presidential Campaign & Cooper Union Speech

Coming Soon: Historical Autographs Gallery will feature the next volume available. 

In other words, one well-researched and expertly presented volume outperformed the entire set from which it came. This underscores a core truth in the world of historical collecting: value is unlocked through scholarship, provenance, and presentation.

Why This Volume Still Resonates

This 1860-signed copy of Life of George Washington remains a symbol of presidential continuity, linking the nation's founding father to the leader who would preserve the Union during its darkest hours. Mary Lincoln’s inscription captures a moment of transition, a quiet act of ownership during a time of sweeping change.

The story of this volume is also a reminder of what sets great collections apart — a commitment to collaboration, documentation, and honoring the past through rigorous research. When done right, even the most understated item can become a cornerstone of presidential history, and we believe that is what sets our firm apart! 

Are you a collector or institution interested in Lincoln-era materials, or are you looking to sell your Lincoln Autographs, Documents or other collectibles?


We plan to offer the next volume in this historic series and welcome inquiries from collectors, museums, and scholars who share our passion for preserving America’s founding narratives.