Thursday, August 23, 2012

Key that locked the cell of the conspirator of A. Lincoln

Auction house description:
An inked manuscript label applied to the print reads Key that locked the cell of the conspirator of A. Lincoln, full size cut and the same inscription plus Compliments J.E. Buckingham is visible at the bottom of the mount, which is partially missing. A paper label from the Summit County Historical Society, Akron, Ohio is applied to verso.

This is the original albumen used in J.E. Buckingham's 1894 book Reminiscences and Souvenirs of the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, where the key is described as the one used to lock Lewis Payne's cell prior to his execution. Lewis Payne (1844-1865), aka Lewis Powell, was the young conspirator who attempted to assassinate Secretary of State William Seward at his home at nearly the same time President Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater.

Lot passed at Cowan's.

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