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Dallas, TX 75261-6199
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Dallas, Texas 75261-4127
(Northwest corner of W. Airport Freeway [HWY-183] & Valley View Lane)
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Auction Name: 2025 October 24 - 25 Americana & Political Signature® Auction
Lot Number: 43025
Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/6324*43025
Abraham Lincoln Assassination: Curtain "Tie-Back" From the Presidential Box at Ford's Theater. Red & white striped cord and tassels, doubled up, measuring 24" in length, present in the Presidential Box at Ford's Theater on the night of Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Typically, the term "curtain tie-back" refers to a metal post with decorative metal end-piece that is screwed in a wall, used to anchor a curtain. The Presidential Box at Ford's Theatre had four curtains (two to each compartment), four metal tie-backs and four "gathering cords with tassels" of which this is one. Shortly after the assassination, Mathew Brady took a picture of the Presidential Box, trying to document how it looked on the evening of April 14, 1865. The flag and gathering cord on the far right were missing, so a substitute flag was secured in its place. That substitute flag hangs on a lower level than its counterparts. Actor Thomas C. Gourley was a spectator that night. His son and daughter were part of the company. He accompanied the company manager, Laura Keene, to the Presidential Box, removed the flag closest to the President, folded it up to be used as a pillow to support Lincoln's head. That blood-stained relic now resides in the Erie County Historical Society. He and Laura Keene shortly thereafter helped transport the wounded President across the street to the Peterson House.
Alfred C. Hicks (1839-1895) was also a spectator that fateful evening. Hicks served in the 1st, 10th and 29th Regiment Maine Infantry. Disabled in April 1863, he was assigned to the Veteran Reserve Corps, doing guard duty in the Capital. He was enjoying a three-week furlough when he witnessed the assassination. Apparently, the temptation to obtain a souvenir of the historic event proved irresistible.
The cord is accompanied by a caption card that reads: "This cord and tassel are from the box occupied by President Lincoln in Ford's Theater on the night of his assassination. It was taken as a souvenir by Alfred C. Hicks who was present on the fateful evening. He was a friend of my grandfather's, and the cord and tassel were passed on to him in 1935 by Mrs. Florence Hicks Stuart, the daughter of Alfred Hicks." The "friend of my grandfather's" may refer to Forest Sweet's grandfather. A hand-written note on the verso indicates this is a transcription of the original note which had become frayed and worn. An enlargement of the Brady photo reveals a "photo match" of the cord. It should be mentioned that the cord being offered here was situated just inches away from the President, based on the recreation on view at the Ford's Theater Museum.
Provenance:
Pvt. Alfred C. Hicks
His wife, Rebecca S. Samuels
His daughter, Florence Hicks Stuart
Noted Lincoln specialist and autograph dealer Forest H. Sweet (1894-1961) of Battle Creek
History professor Michael Yencho
Yencho's grandson
Current consignor
Condition: Light aging. The wooden hub at the top is split with an old thread repair. It is possible that it was stepped on by any one of the numerous occupants of the Presidential Box. The repair is evidence of the high regard accorded it as a historical relic. The lot is accompanied by a large folder of research material (photocopies).
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