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Lot 1082
Lincoln, Mary Todd (1818-1882) Wife of President Abraham Lincoln. Autograph Letter Signed twice "M.L.," once at the end of the letter, the last paragraph of which is written over page 1, and after a postscript written over page 2, on mourning-bordered stationery, St. Charles (Illinois), Nov. 14 (1871), 4 pp+ (2 sheets) octavo. A grief-filled, emotional letter written a few months after the death of Tad (Thomas) on July 15, 1871, to Mrs. Lincoln's good friend Rhoda White, wife of an immigrant Irishman who had risen to become a justice of the New York Superior Court. Mrs. White, who had lost several children and her husband by this time, was a great source of help and advice to Mrs. Lincoln. According to Justin G. Turner and Linda Levitt Turner in Mary Todd Lincoln, Her Life and Letters, "Letters written by Mary Lincoln in the period between 1871 and 1876 are today the rarest of items." Linda Turner, in a 3 page typed letter written in 1973 (copy included) specifically discussing this letter, notes: "This letter is particularly valuable.There are no more than a dozen known letters written by Mrs. Lincoln between the time of Tad's death and her last trip to Europe following her release from the sanitarium at Batavis in 1875. Interestingly enough, though it bears evidence of deep grief, it is not the letter of a mentally ill person." An exceptional letter, in fine condition. In full:
St. Charles / Nov. 14th / My Dear Mrs. White: Many thanks for your kind attention, regarding the steamer. I feel that there is no end, to the trouble, I give you, dear, dear friend.
In consideration of the bad feeling in the South towards the North & the eve of a Presidential election pending, with the name of Lincoln, I scarcely think it would be safe to venture. So for the present, I decline the trip. The truth I am so wretched in my mind, so utterly cast down by my fearful bereavement, I have not the energy left to do anything. My friends have thought, change of scene might benefit, but it will only be the final & great change, that restores me to my idolised ones, that will ever cause me to be myself again.
Just as I had in a measure returned to my natural cheerfulness - with a worshipped son, by my side, who could not bear me out of his sight when I was feeling that once more, I had something to live for, who was my pride, my fond delight, to have this precious one, snatched from my arms.
I sometimes think that the glories of the Hereafter will scarcely compensate, for the sorrows of this life - yet I soften, when I think of the blessed reunion. Lovingly, your friend. M.L. Please address me care of my son - 16 Congress St. Chicago. M.L.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 10,000.
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