Happy Birthday, Abraham Lincoln!

 Barbara Brackman's latest Civil War Quilts column celebrates some quilts connected to our 16th President. Look here for more.

Here's a Lincolnesque mix for you to ponder, including Himself, Herself (Lincoln's wife Mary), ribbons, the log cabin he was supposed to have been born in...and more.

c.1850 'Abolition' quilt

Mary Lincoln, his wife

Matthew Brady 1860 campaign ribbon

Lincoln's dog Fido (1861)

Lincoln, after the Battle of Antietam

The poster advertising a reward for John Wilkes Booth

1865 mourning ribbon

Another mourning ribbon

'The' Cabin -- maybe, maybe not

The handkerchief in Lincoln's pocket the night he was assassinated

thought to be the last photo ever taken of him

I'm a big fan of ribbons and other woven textiles connected with Mr. Lincoln. The mourning ribbons regularly go for $100 -- $250. Each. They sometimes show up in Crazy quilts, which automatically boosts the value of that piece, depending on which ribbon is used. 

He was an amazing man, aware of both his faults and his gifts -- and surprisingly humble about both. 

Like anyone, he wasn't perfect -- but one wonders what would have happened, had he lived past 1865. Would it have changed the Reconstruction...and the future of the South?

Happy Birthday, Mr. President!

(Antiques Trade Gazette)