Lincoln Abraham



Abraham Lincoln Collector Frederick H. Meserve ALS Praising Fellow Civil War Historian

1p ALS inscribed overall and signed by Lincoln collector Frederick H. Meserve (1865-1962) as "F.H. Meserve" at bottom. Written at his Upper East Side address in New York City on January 13, 1953. The cream stationery paper is in near fine condition, with expected light paper folds, 8.375" x 10.875".

Frederick H. Meserve, a world-renown collector of Lincoln and Civil War era photography, ephemera, maps, and books, lauded Arnold F. Gates (1914-1993), a fellow Civil War enthusiast. The 88-year-old collector wrote in part:




"Dear Arnold,

As Editor of 'The Round Table' you have put the society on the map. The size, the type, the arrangement of topics, but above all, the words, and careful reporting, make it an addition to current history. I felicitate you, and every member of the society will be grateful to you and your associate editors."

Meserve's praise was more than just kind words; it demonstrated how much the Lincoln scholar valued Gates' contributions to the field. Coming from Meserve, long since recognized as one of the world's top Lincoln experts, this was highly complementary.

Frederick H. Meserve began collecting Lincolniana in 1897, with the intention of illustrating his father's Civil War diary. Meserve continued collecting over the next sixty years, eventually amassing 200,000 pieces including some previously "lost" or unknown images of Lincoln. Meserve's collection was so esteemed for its completeness that he essentially became the custodian of "Lincoln's image." For example, Meserve was approached by medal and currency engravers, as well as by the sculptors of Lincoln's Memorial Monument, for direct access to his presidential photographs. In 2015, the Meserve-Kunhardt Collection was acquired by the Yale Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library (New Haven, Connecticut.)

Meserve's correspondent Arnold F. Gates also had a lifelong interest in the Civil War. Gates served as an editor and officer of the Round Table Yearbook of New York City between 1952-1967. Gates edited and published works relating to the Civil War period, including The Rough Side of War: The Civil War Journal of Chesley A. Mosman, First Lieutenant, Company D, 59th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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