American Historical Manuscripts from the William Reese Co.

Item 17 is an archive of reminiscences of people who had encounters with Abraham Lincoln. The compiler was John E. Boos, a noted Lincoln collector from Albany, New York. Boos set out to find the reminiscences of those who had some experiences with Lincoln, usually ordinary people, a half-century after the President's death. From 1912 through 1937, he sought letters from people who had seen Lincoln or heard him speak. Several compilations of material Boos collected have been published, but only one of the 18 documents in this lot appears to have been published. These accounts come from soldiers in hospitals, people who shook Lincoln's hand, heard him speak, or had brief conversations with him. The timing of these letters is such that they would have been accounts from some of the last survivors to have seen Lincoln at a time when few such people would still have been living. $5,000.

Item 35 is a letter from A. Callender to his brother Levi Callender dated July 10, 1814. A. Callender had participated in the Battle of Chippawa, an American victory during the War of 1812. The battle took place near Chippawa, Ontario, as Americans attacked the British. The attack was launched as the Americans realized that with Napoleon's deteriorating situation in Europe, the British would likely be able to soon supplement their forces in America. The decision was to attack before such reinforcements arrived. Callender describes the carnage at the scene in his letter: "Arms, legs and in fact every part of body mangled. One was tomahawked in five places through the scull [sic] was brought here alive. Likewise three that were scalped, all save one of which have since died" (Indians were among the combatants). $5,500.

The William Reese Company may be reached at 203-789-8081 or amorder@reeseco.com. Their website is www.reeseco.com.