Lincoln Stuff from Lincoln's pockets

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Today, @NorfolkHistory tweeted a photo of the contents of Lincoln's pockets at the time of his assassination.

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I had to look a couple of times... that's a Confederate $5 bill! Souvenir from his trip to Richmond, change from a smart-aleck cashier, or just-in-case?

 

[FarawayFriend]

Is that a lost button under the bill?
And what is that thing between the two pair of glasses?
So one should not only wear clean fresh underwear and have the socks mended but also take care of the content of one's pockets.
I'd better not show what is in mine! Old receipts from the gas station, at least one old shopping list, lip balm, a few nice pebbles I might have found on a walk, a few stray coins, a handkerchief, my keys and car keys ... my phone ...

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

The metal case, you mean? At first glance, my brain said, "Zippo," but of course that's ridiculous. I wonder if it's the case for the smaller pair of spectacles-- they look a little like they might be hinged.

I'm not sure what the things are right next to that... almost looks like a couple of upholstery buttons from a chair or something.

(Nice wallet, though. I want one like that.)

 

[ErnieMac]

The metal case, you mean? At first glance, my brain said, "Zippo," but of course that's ridiculous. I wonder if it's the case for the smaller pair of spectacles-- they look a little like they might be hinged.

I'm not sure what the things are right next to that... almost looks like a couple of upholstery buttons from a chair or something.

(Nice wallet, though. I want one like that.)

Lots of spaces for his credit cards.

I wonder what the object above and to the left of the Confederate $5 is?

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

I wonder what the object above and to the left of the Confederate $5 is?

I interpreted it as a little bell.

 

[Cumpston1862]

I am rather partial to pocket knives and the one Mr. Lincoln was carrying is a dandy. There is a gentlemen that sells a fine repro but I cannot afford presently.

Here is another original picture of Lincoln's knife and below that is the link to the site that sells the repros.

http://www.orchardhillcutlery.com/The-Lincoln-Knife_p_25.html

 

[FarawayFriend]

Yes I meant the "buttons". One of the metal cases could really be some kind of lighter. My grandpa had somthing similar (and where is that thing gone ...????)
And what might that golden pyramidonal thing be? A pendant? A surprise for Mary to be given to her after the theater? But no, it seems more like some kind of small flask ...
Very interesting, thank you!

 

[ErnieMac]

I interpreted it as a little bell.

Possible. With the eyelet at the top I was wondering if it is some type of watch fob, but I've never seen of that style.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

I'm sure this stuff is listed somewhere, but not being a Lincoln expert, I'm not sure where to look... hopefully some helpful sort will happen along and help us ID the stuff.

 

[ErnieMac]

Found it (and the other things too): The Alfred Whital Stern Collection of Lincolniana. The bell type object was a watch fob or winder. Below the Confederate $5 is a monogrammed button and to the left of the bill is an eyeglass cleaner.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/stern-lincoln/objects.html

 

[FarawayFriend]

You beat me at it! Here is another list and description:
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm012.html

An eyeglass cleaner!! Never had thought of that!

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Interesting. A watch fob, but no watch?

 

[donna]

Neat objects to have in your pocket. I know he kept papers in his top hat. Has anyone ever listed what some of them were?

 

[FarawayFriend]

Interesting. A watch fob, but no watch?

He seems to have forgot the watch on his desk at the White House. And there seems to be a secret in it. I remember we had already a thread dealing with his watch ...
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/10/secret-message-hidden-abraham-lincolns-pocket-watch/

 

[ErnieMac]

He seems to have forgot the watch on his desk at the White House. And there seems to be a seecret in it. I remember we had already a thread dealing with his watch ...
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/10/secret-message-hidden-abraham-lincolns-pocket-watch/

Airship One - gotta love it.

 

[FarawayFriend]

Airship One - gotta love it.

Ahem, I have edited the post as it was too much nonsense, I thought.
So now there is anothet quote in my post but maybe one can follow the link where ErnieMac quoted me
Apparently I was not quick enough with the edit, lol

 

[Patrick H]

Very interesting. I would never have identified the eyeglass cleaner. I speculate that the metal object between the glasses is a silver match box--although I'm not sure why Mr. Lincoln would need matches. I don't see any pocket lint in this photo. Surely, there was some of that, too. ...or is that unique to my pockets?...

 

[E_just_E]

Very interesting. I would never have identified the eyeglass cleaner. I speculate that the metal object between the glasses is a silver match box--although I'm not sure why Mr. Lincoln would need matches. I don't see any pocket lint in this photo. Surely, there was some of that, too. ...or is that unique to my pockets?...

Those are both glass cases for each pair of glasses. The smaller ones are foldable. Here is a different perspective of those items:

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

I don't see any pocket lint in this photo. Surely, there was some of that, too. ...or is that unique to my pockets?...

Cover-up! Trying to make it look like he was too good for pocket lint!

 

[Ladibugladibugg]

Today, @NorfolkHistory tweeted a photo of the contents of Lincoln's pockets at the time of his assassination.

View attachment 57803

​

I had to look a couple of times... that's a Confederate $5 bill! Souvenir from his trip to Richmond, change from a smart-aleck cashier, or just-in-case?

He had some major pockets! I'm not sure if I could get all that in a purse lol