Robert Todd Lincoln to J. L. Van Zelm

Robert Todd Lincoln to J. L. Van Zelm

Robert Todd Lincoln declines to sign a photograph of his father for J.L. Van Zelm. Instead Lincoln returns the photograph and sends an autographed copy of the 1894 Century Magazine article entitled "Lincoln's Gettysburg Address" for Van Zelm's son.

Lincoln, Robert Todd

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

1909-02-11

pdf

eng

300130

T1909.02.11

Pullman Building. Chicago

February 11th, 1909.

J. L. van Zelm, Esq., 8 Bancker Place, New Rochelle, New York.

My dear Sir:

I receive this morning your note of February 9th, and its enclosure. I have always refrained from putting my signature or inscription of any kind upon photographs of my father; and while I appreciate all that you say, I must ask to be excused from making an exception in this instance.

As it may perhaps answer your purpose, I am sending you a bound copy of a reprint of an article in the Century Magazine of February, 1894, entitled "Lincoln's Gettysburg Address." I have inscribed it to your son.

The photograph which accompanied your note is being returned to-day in the envelope which you enclosed for that purpose.

Yours very truly, Robert T Lincoln

L-46

Complete

100

20

paper and ink

1 p

25 x 20 cm