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Abraham Lincoln: Signed Foot Tracing with Related Signed Pass. ...
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Description
Abraham Lincoln: Signed Foot Tracing with Related Signed Pass. This lot contains artifacts related to the fitting and subsequent manufacture of custom-made shoes for President Abraham Lincoln, accomplished by Peter Kahler of Scranton, Pennsylvania. The main item is a 9" x 13.75" sheet of paper that Lincoln stood on while Kahler traced the outline of his feet in pencil. Various measurements were written down and the President personally inscribed the worksheet "Abraham Lincoln/ Washington Dec. 13. 1864." A year later, the back side of the sheet was used to trace the feet of Robert Johnson. At some point in time, the worksheet was part of a presentation and a Lincoln signed pass glued on the sole of the right foot. That pass, now detached, measuring 3" x 1.75", reads: "Let this man come right in. A. Lincoln Dec. 12, 1864." The third component is a 10" x 12" mounted albumen depicting two passes and a letter. The passes, written by Private Secretary Robert Johnson on December 10th and 12th 1865, gave Peter Kahler access to the White House. The letter, written on Executive Mansion letterhead, signed by John Nicolay and dated March 2, 1865, reads: "The pair of French Calfskin Boots which you so kindly sent to the President and the slippers intended for Mrs. Lincoln have been received and he desires me to express his thanks for the same."President Lincoln was plagued with foot problems and expended considerable time & effort to alleviate his discomfort. He wore a size 13 boot, the largest size of any president. Corns and bunions were a constant nuisance. In 1862, he met with a British chiropodist, Issachar Zacharie (1826-1897) who successfully removed some troublesome corns, prompting three letters of recommendation from the President. In 1864, Peter Kahler, a cobbler from Scranton, wrote to the President and offered his services in fabricating custom-fit boots. His offer was accepted and he visited the White House in December 1864. The President's testimonial was used by Kahler to generate business, move to a prestige address in Manhattan, and assume the title of "Doctor Peter Kahler, Official Bootmaker to the President."
Condition: Mounted photograph with rounded corners. Blue card has moderate overall soiling and edge wear. Foot tracing has even toning/dusting, loss to one corner and minor edge wear.
Provenance: Includes a file of research material along with an LOA from PSA/DNA of Newport Beach, California. From The Collection of Dr. Blaine Houmes
Auction Info
2022 February 12 - 13 Lincoln and His Times Americana & Political Signature® Auction #6251 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
February, 2022
12th-13th
Saturday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 7
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,861
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