Rare book - "Legislative Obsequies [Or Funeral Rites] of President Lincoln"

This is another rare item being offered, it is an original 1865 copy of "Legislative Obsequies [Or Funeral Rites] of President Lincoln from The State of New York. At the bottom of the title page is “ALBANY: / Weed, Parsons and Company, Printers / 1865”. This book measures 6" x 9" and there are 118 pages with each page bordered in black.

This amazing book was put together shortly after President Lincoln's assassination. The State of New York assembled 3 days after his death and the content of this book is what convened. They talk about having the Assembly chamber in mourning and it be draped for thirty days. It goes on to state that “Whereas, it is represented that the remains of the deceased, Abraham Lincoln, will pass through the principal cities on the line of the Central railroad, and that a brief stop will be made in this city…”.

The book is filled with many moving speeches from different assembly members in honor of the late president. They also voted to publish 4,000 copies of the proceedings in paperback form. These limited hardback versions were probably specifically made for the members of the Assembly and Senate, so very few remain today.

This copy is solid in all aspects, the binding and covers are solid and tightly attached. A couple pieces of the cloth on the spine is gone, but the original spine layer still remains, keeping the book tight and complete (a couple blemishes on the front cover). The inside text is clean and without underlining or writing.

These proceedings were gathered only 3 days after Lincoln's Death while the shock of the event was still at a high – it was printed shortly afterwards. Overall it is a remarkable and historical book. A very nice example of a rare and hard to find hardcover copy of these proceedings held on April 15, 1865. A definite must for the Lincoln or historical enthusiast. One of the nicer copies you will encounter.