61031: Abraham Lincolns Folding Brass Dividers Start Price USD 10,000.00 Current Price USD 70,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 19 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, November 20, 2008 End Time Thursday, November 20, 2008 Location Eisenhower Hotel & Resort See more about '61031: Abraham Lincolns Folding Brass Dividers' Description click for larger image61031: Abraham Lincoln's Folding Brass Dividers Abraham Lincoln's Folding Brass Dividers Used by Him During the Civil War. The dividers, approximately five inches long, are housed in a beige silk-lined folding box with gilt-lettered leather spine, stamped on the front cover "Justin G. Turner Collection". Their sharp steel points are very slightly rusted in spots, but fundamental condition is excellent. Accompanied by the original autograph letter of Robert Todd Lincoln presenting them to Thomas T. Eckert, chief of the War Department telegraph staff. The letter occupies the first two pages of a four-page, black-bordered mourning notesheet; datelined "Executive Mansion, Washington, May 21 / 65" and signed "R.T. Lincoln", it states: "Major Hay [John Hay, the president's assistant secretary] told me this morning that you were desirous of some relic of my father, and I take pleasure in complying, for I know how high you stood in his esteem. Nearly all of our effects have already been sent away, but I have found the pair of dividers, which he was accustomed to use, & with which you have doubtless often seen him trace distances on maps." The letter has some small chips in the bottom black border and a few scattered finger marks, but is very good; it is accompanied by its original mourning envelope, addressed to Eckert at the War Department and signed by Lincoln, with black wax "L" seal on verso. Also present is a 1948 letter by Joanne Eckert Biddle, referring to the descent of the dividers in her family. In the spring of 1862 Thomas Thompson Eckert was appointed a major in the U.S. Army and given charge of the War Department telegraph office, a position he retained through the end of the war. Eckert's office was of such vital importance that it was situated immediately next to that of War Secretary Edwin Stanton, and -- since the Executive Mansion had no telegraph line -- it was very frequently visited by President Lincoln when he wished to read the latest war news, or simply secure a pleasant respite from the crush of visitors at the White House. Lincoln even used the office to write out the first draft of the Emancipation Proclamation, with paper supplied by Maj. Eckert. As one of the most trusted members of his "military family", Lincoln sent him to Hampton Roads in February 1865 to discuss protocol with the Confederate peace commissioners, before meeting them himself, and just a few weeks later Maj. Eckert was among those who declined to attend Ford's Theatre with the Lincolns on the fatal night. A superlative Lincoln relic that conjures an image of the president, deep in thought, contemplating the movements, the strategies, the purposes, of the most momentous war ever fought on American soil. Provenance: Thomas T. Eckert, by descent to Joanne Eckert Biddle; Dawson's Book Shop, Los Angeles; Turner, sold privately; Sang lot 1248.Shipping: Flat Material, Small (view shipping information)Important notice: Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 100-110 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. 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