Wife of Abraham Lincoln (1818 -1882) and first lady from 1861 to 1865. Rare war-dated ALS as first lady, signed “Mary Lincoln,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 6.25, black-bordered personal letterhead, May 5, 1862. An incredible, emotional, and historically significant letter to Charles Reeves of Cleveland, Ohio. In full: “The sad intelligence of the death of your most excellent wife had reached me two or three weeks before I received your letter, and I have been so bowed down and broken hearted myself or I should have written you to express my deep sorrow in your heavy bereavement. Where Mrs. Reeves was known, there her goodness and influence was ever felt. She was one of the pure hearted beings of this world. Who are most frequently first removed. In His own time we will know why it is. The Hereafter will explain, many things, that are now in the dark and mysterious to us.
Our own afflictions, are so overwhelming my Husband and myself are so crushed and sorrowful, that we can well sympathize with those who mourn, our hearts can go out, towards those who weep - We know in our trials, that the heavy stroke, came from a Father's hand, yet it is so difficult while our hearts are bleeding, to be submissive - There was no lovelier boy, than ours, and none more precious or more dearly loved yet he has been called away and we are left to our desolations and agony. Our Beloved Willie dearly loved your wife and I know she equally as much attached to him - And I fully know and believe they are this day together rejoicing in the presence of their Saviour.
I have shed many many tears over the last writing of your sainted wife in memory of our darling boy, if it were not for the hope, that by serving God rightly here we may be enabled to meet them again - what would life be - As it is, there are days when I feel that I cannot struggle on much longer. Just a short time before his illness I had intended sending Mrs Reeves his photograph which did not do Willie justice - please receive this from me - If you should ever come on to W[ashington] I will show you a painting of him very much like him and far handsomer than this. Please excuse this letter, written in much haste, and almost blotted by my tears - When we weep here, we can only remember that there ‘all tears are wiped away from their eyes.’ Sorrow never enters there.”
Accompanied by its original black-bordered mailing envelope, addressed by Mary Lincoln to “Mr. Charles Reeves, Cleveland, Ohio,” initialed by her in the lower left corner, “M. L.,” and franked in the upper right corner by the president, “A. Lincoln.” Also accompanied by the original 2.25 x 4 carte-de-visite of Willie Lincoln mentioned in the letter, identified in the lower border in pencil in an unknown hand, “Willie Lincoln.”
The letter has several old repairs to partial separations along horizontal folds and hinge, several other unrepaired clean separations, scattered toning and moderate soiling, not affecting the legibility of the text, otherwise very good condition. The envelope rates good condition, with three edge separations, some old tape repairs, paper loss to reverse, scattered toning and soiling, and some chips and tears to the edges. Despite the physical flaws, Lincoln’s franking signature is quite bold and largely unaffected.
Less than three months earlier, Lincoln’s third son, Willie, died at the age of 11, most likely from typhoid fever, the result of drinking contaminated water. For weeks prior to his death, his parents spent most of their time at his side. His passing devastated the family, with the president suddenly unable to perform many of his executive duties. Mary Lincoln’s overpowering grief is quite evident in this remarkable letter, crushed with tragic sadness as she tries to console Reeves on the loss of his own wife.
Aside from its deeply personal content, the presence of the letter’s included portrait of her son, of which Lincoln writes, “I had intended sending Mrs Reeves his photograph which did not do Willie justice - please receive this from me,” combined with the original envelope franked by her husband, makes this a unique and most fascinating trio of items. And although extremely sad, a finer content Mary Lincoln letter would be difficult to imagine. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA
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