[Lorenz Schwartz Collection] Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln, a Centennial Poem; Written for the Philadelphia Brigade, February Twelfth, Nineteen Hundred and Nine

by Virginia Frazer Boyle. Memphis, TN: S.C. Toof & Co., 1909. Bound by Lorenz Schwartz at The Zahn Bindery in dark maroon crushed morocco, with a design near spine on both front and rear cover, built up primarily from flowing lines and fillets outlining gilt stippling. Title and author with acorn and branches in gilt to front cover. Wide gilt-ruled turn-ins with designs at corners mimicking the stippled box design at head and tail of covers, surrounding burgundy patterned silk. Silk flyleaves. Gift inscription to the author from the bookbinder (and namesake of The Zahn Bindery) Otto Zahn. All edges gilt. Printed on Japan vellum. Title page in red and black. Though Virginia Frazer Boyle was dubbed the “Poet Laureate of the Confederacy” by Jefferson Davis when she was 10 years old, this poem was written as a tribute to Lincoln. The final page also carries an interesting note below Frazer Boyle's signature: “Signed with pencil carried by A Lincoln for many years. Now owned by Mrs. Louise Boon Adams of Chicago to whom it was presented by Mrs. Lincoln.”