Made in Rudolstadt, a center of porcelain manufacture in Germany, this decorative jug features portraits of Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson. It was created between 1882 and 1918. What makes this piece so distinctive is the grouping of these three presidents. When Lincoln was alive, he was often compared to Washington, but after his death, the link between the two men became even stronger in the public’s mind. Washington and Lincoln were seen not only as great leaders, but as fundamentally good men. The comparisons between Lincoln and Jefferson were less frequent in the 19th and early 20th century. His inclusion here could be because he was simply another beloved president. Or, perhaps the maker connected Jefferson’s words “that all men are created equal,” with Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. The jug was given to the library by John D. Rockefeller Jr. before 1939.

Share information about this object.

This jovial character jug depicts Lincoln’s head, shoulders, and part of his famous stovepipe hat. The piece was made by Lefton China, probably sometime in the 1950’s. Beginning in the 1940’s, Lefton China produced a wide variety of collectible porcelain, including character jugs featuring numerous politicians and celebrities. These jugs are particularly known for their unique handles, which offer an extra detail about the character being portrayed. In this case, the Lincoln jug handle takes the form of a scroll, which is probably the Emancipation Proclamation. The jug was given to the library by W. Easton Louttit, Jr. in 1969.

Share information about this object.

In an effort to pass the time while out at sea, 18th and 19th century whalemen used sperm whale teeth as a canvas for their art. They pinpricked an image onto the surface of the tooth, and then used pigment to make the image stand out. Their work was called “scrimshaw.” Created sometime after 1861, this piece of scrimshaw features a bust portrait of Abraham Lincoln on one side and a full length portrait of an unknown young woman on the other. The very detailed image of Lincoln was probably copied from an existing print. The piece is not signed nor dated, although this is not surprising, as few whalers could read or write. The McLellan Lincoln Collection also includes another piece of scrimshaw, a walrus tusk with an engraving of Lincoln one side.

Share information about this object.

Patented in 1952, this interesting glass bottle shaped like Abraham Lincoln was produced by the Lincoln Fruit and Syrup Co. in Lawrence, Massachusetts. It is an example of the ubiquitousness of Lincoln’s image in 20th century America. The design was based on an 1898 glass bottle shaped like Uncle Sam, as well as the classic piggy bank of the 20th century. Once the Lincoln bottle was empty; the lid could be cut so as to make a slot for coins. It was the first combination syrup/bank bottle ever produced. In 1954, the company changed its name to Lincoln Foods. A year later, they came out with a George Washington version of their popular bank bottle.

Share information about this object.

During the Civil War era, as the sectional crisis caused an increase in political participation, torchlight parades became extremely popular. As such, demand was high for cheap, customized torches as well as glass and paper lanterns. This accordion-pleated paper lantern belonged to Charles Lincoln of New Bedford, Massachusetts. On one side of the lantern is Lincoln’s portrait, on the other, “LINCOLN AND JOHNSON.” It was probably used in one of the many parades held to promote Lincoln’s re-election in 1864.

Share information about this object.

In March of 1860, Chicago sculptor Leonard Volk met Abraham Lincoln. The sculptor persuaded Lincoln to let Volk make a plaster cast of Lincoln’s face. Less than two months later, not long after Lincoln had been pronounced the Republican presidential nominee, Volk returned to Springfield to make a casting of Lincoln’s hands. Badly swollen from greeting supporters, Lincoln’s right hand was noticeably bigger than the left. Volk told Lincoln to clasp a broom handle to make the right hand seem less noticeable. For the rest of his career, Volk made a tidy profit selling copies of his original casts to a desiring public. The library’s bronzed plaster casts of Lincoln’s hands are undated, and were given to the library as a gift prior to 1949.

Share information about this object.

The issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation sparked a series of celebrations amongst freed slaves. Before long the celebration of black freedom became a formalized ritual, which was known as “Emancipation Day” or “Freedom Day” and continued to be celebrated well into the 20th century. The exact date was variable. Some communities celebrated on January 1st, others on August 1st, and still others on June 19th. In any case, it was during this celebration of freedom and emancipation that African-Americans remembered Abraham Lincoln. It was not really until the Lincoln Centennial in 1909 that blacks observed Lincoln’s birthday as a day of celebration distinct from “Freedom Day.” This elaborate badge was worn during a 1915 freedom celebration in Chicago. Notice that Lincoln’s portrait is placed prominently in the center. The quotation at the top of the badge exclaims, “Let us keep step with the music of the Republic.”

Share information about this object.

The nation was in shock after Abraham Lincoln’s unexpected death in 1865. As his funeral train made its two week journey around the country, Americans expressed their grief publicly by wearing mourning badges, ribbons, buttons, pins, and other items. In death, Lincoln achieved the widespread adoration he never received in life. He became known as the “nation’s martyr” and the “savior of the Union.” This black crepe hair piece was worn by Sarah Dunham of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The badge was given to the library by Ms. Emma Fales in 1944.

Share information about this object.

The Mary Lincoln Candy Company opened in 1916 in Buffalo, New York. The company sold their candy both through their own stores and through other independent merchants. It was not the only candy company which took its name from a famous American woman. Mary Lincoln Candies competed with Martha Washington Candies of Washington, D.C., and Betsy Ross Candies of Indianapolis, Indiana. The Mary Lincoln Candy Company was known for their slogan, “Old-Fashioned Goodness in Every Piece.” The one pound box of candy pictured here features portraits of both Mary Todd Lincoln and Abraham Lincoln. It was given to the library by C.D Hathaway in 1944.

Share information about this object.

A unique game for children produced not long after Lincoln’s death, “Parlor Monuments to the Illustrious Dead” shows the increasing interest in public monuments during the 19th century. The game was “presented to the public, with the confident belief that it will prove a lasting blessing to those for whom it was prepared, by leading them to study the history, contemplate the characters, and emulate the virtues of the illustrious men to whom they can build appropriate monuments…” It consists of twenty-four wooden blocks. The four sides of each block feature a different picture or group of words. When the blocks are put together in the correct fashion, the child can build five different monuments, “The Children’s Monument to Abraham Lincoln,” “The Freedman’s Monument to Abraham Lincoln,” “The National Monument to Abraham Lincoln,” “The National Monument to George Washington,” and “The Presidential Monument.” Shown here is the configuration for “The Children’s Monument to Abraham Lincoln.” The only other known copy of this game is located in the Henry Horner Lincoln Collection at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.

Share information about this object.