Jun 25, 2026 10:00 EST
The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
40
Lincoln assassination relic presentation
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
[LINCOLN, ABRAHAM and SEWARD, WILLIAM]
Abraham Lincoln assassination relics presentation. Six strands of hair reported to be from President Lincoln and four strands of hair reported to be from Lincoln's Secretary of State, William Seward housed in a presentation display with a small section of a sheet reported to be from Lincoln's deathbed. The relics are encapsulated under plastic magnifying lenses and matted with a reproduction image of Lincoln on his deathbed and an explanatory caption. Overall display 14 x 11 inches (35.5 x 28 cm); Together with a fragment of wood reportedly salvaged from the Merrimack (CSS Virginia), accompanied by a certificate reporting it cut from a larger known fragment, but this is unsubstantiated. Items not examined out of plastic and sold as-is, please see note.
This presentation of hair/bed sheet relics was last sold by Alexander Historical Auctions in 2021 ($3,437.50). The item is accompanied by a certificate reporting that the hair was originally sold by the noted Americana and autograph dealer Mary Benjamin in 1961, later sold by Christie's in 1992, and sold again by Christie's in 2002 as part of the Forbes Collection (Lot #121). The lot in the Forbes sale was a group of hair samples from various related persons (Lincoln, Mrs. Lincoln, Seward, and others) and was accompanied by contemporary notes; the present hair may have been subdivided from that lot, but this has not been substantiated, and there is no 19th- or 20th-century provenance provided. The section of the bed sheet, according to the provided certificate, was taken from a large section of sheet found among the papers of the American Minister to Greece Charles K. Tuckerman, but similarly, this fabric is not accompanied by any substantiating provenance.
Sold for $416
Estimated at $400 - $600
Includes Buyer's Premium
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
[LINCOLN, ABRAHAM and SEWARD, WILLIAM]
Abraham Lincoln assassination relics presentation. Six strands of hair reported to be from President Lincoln and four strands of hair reported to be from Lincoln's Secretary of State, William Seward housed in a presentation display with a small section of a sheet reported to be from Lincoln's deathbed. The relics are encapsulated under plastic magnifying lenses and matted with a reproduction image of Lincoln on his deathbed and an explanatory caption. Overall display 14 x 11 inches (35.5 x 28 cm); Together with a fragment of wood reportedly salvaged from the Merrimack (CSS Virginia), accompanied by a certificate reporting it cut from a larger known fragment, but this is unsubstantiated. Items not examined out of plastic and sold as-is, please see note.
This presentation of hair/bed sheet relics was last sold by Alexander Historical Auctions in 2021 ($3,437.50). The item is accompanied by a certificate reporting that the hair was originally sold by the noted Americana and autograph dealer Mary Benjamin in 1961, later sold by Christie's in 1992, and sold again by Christie's in 2002 as part of the Forbes Collection (Lot #121). The lot in the Forbes sale was a group of hair samples from various related persons (Lincoln, Mrs. Lincoln, Seward, and others) and was accompanied by contemporary notes; the present hair may have been subdivided from that lot, but this has not been substantiated, and there is no 19th- or 20th-century provenance provided. The section of the bed sheet, according to the provided certificate, was taken from a large section of sheet found among the papers of the American Minister to Greece Charles K. Tuckerman, but similarly, this fabric is not accompanied by any substantiating provenance.
Auction: The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile, Jun 25, 2026
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Successful Auction of The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile on June 25, 2026 Tops $550k with 97% Sell-Through Rate
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Featuring a Wide Range of Americana and Military History Spanning the 18th through 20th Centuries
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We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Collection
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's highly-anticipated auction of The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile on June 25, 2026 delivered outstanding results, with trans-Atlantic bidding driving the sale total beyond expectations and an impressive 97% sell-through rate. Comprising more than 200 lots, this extensive and fascinating collection featured books, manuscripts, and original illustration art spanning centuries of antiquarian interest.
Signed Volume from Abraham Lincoln's Personal Library - Sold for $64,000
Books from Abraham Lincoln's personal library are among the great rarities of the American book trade. Leading the sale was an 1849 first edition of William W. Campbell's The Life and Writings of De Witt Clinton inscribed by Lincoln that achieved $64,000, more than doubling its $20,000-30,000 estimate. Lincoln signed the book on November 19, 1860, less than two weeks after his election to the presidency. In February 1861, he would depart Springfield by train for Washington, never returning to his hometown until his burial following his assassination.
A United States Senator, Mayor of New York City, and Governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton is best remembered for championing the Erie Canal, one of the great infrastructure projects of the 19th century. Lincoln admired Clinton's vision and leadership, looking to him as a model of a strong executive capable of undertaking and completing ambitious public works.
British Military & Naval Color Plate Books - Sold for $16,640
The wide selection of color plate books featured magnificent first editions of James Jenkins' celebrated The Martial Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1799 to 1815 and The Naval Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1793 to 1817. Amid trans-Atlantic bidding, this elegant two-volume set sailed its $7,000-10,000 estimate to realize $16,640. Among the finest military color plate books of the early 19th century, these large-paper editions, featuring over 100 hand-colored aquatint plates, were presented in their most desirable state, with coloring of exceptional quality and delicately tinted plate surrounds not found in the regular issue. Completing the lot was an original watercolor by William Heath, the leading British military watercolorist of the period, prepared for one of the plates in The Martial Achievements.
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