Large fragments of bronze-and-blue patterned wallpaper removed from Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln's bedroom at their home in Springfield, Illinois. The fragments measure approximately 3.25″ x 6.25″ and 2″ x 5″, and are accompanied by a detailed letter or provenance from Jonathan H. Mann of The Rail Splitter: "This letter accompanies original fragments of blue and bronze-patterned wallpaper from Abraham and Mary Lincoln's bedroom in his Springfield house. [Lot #833, Rail Splitter auction, 10/6/09.]
Abraham Lincoln lived with his family at 413 South Eighth Street 1844-61, up to leaving for Washington to be sworn-in as President. The house, purchased by Lincoln in 1844, was the only home he ever owned. These wallpaper fragments, as with other extant examples, originate with Mary Edwards Brown, granddaughter of Ninian Wirt Edwards and Elizabeth Todd Edwards, a sister of Mary Todd.
Built by Rev. Charles Dresser in 1839 as a one and a half story dwelling, it stood on the outskirts of the city where homes of the most influential Springfield citizens were developed. 'Old Parson' Dresser married Abraham and Mary on November 4, 1842 in the home of Ninian Edwards. For the next two years, the Lincolns lived in a hotel, the Globe, where Robert was born. In 1844, Dresser sold the young couple his house and lot for $1,500 in cash. (Although not mentioned in the deed, there was a $900 mortgage on the house - cleared a few months later.) In the mid-1850s the home was raised to be a full two-story residence.
After the Lincolns moved to Washington in 1861, the home was rented to Lucian Tilton, President of the Great Western Railroad. In later years it was rented to George H. Harlow; Dr. Gustav Wendlandt; and in 1884 to O. H. Oldroyd, the well-known collector. In 1887, Oldroyd convinced Robert Todd Lincoln to deed the property to Illinois and Oldroyd became the first official custodian. Succeeding custodians were Herman Hofferkamp, a Lincoln neighbor; Albert S. Edwards, Mrs. Lincoln's nephew: Mrs. Albert S. Edwards, and Mrs. Mary Edwards Brown, the preceding custodians' daughter; and finally her daughter, Virginia Stuart Brown. No changes have been made in the interior of this twelve-room house since the Lincolns left. (Lincoln's bedroom was on the second floor, north.)
These wallpaper fragments were removed and preserved by Mary Edwards Brown. In 1956, Brown sold the relics, along with other Lincoln family property, to Dorothy Kunhardt, daughter of Frederick Hill Meserve. The Dorothy Meserve Kunhardt Collection of Lincolniana was sold at auction by Charles Hamilton on May 28, 1981.".
