Walking Stick, 1861-1863, Allegedly Owned by Abraham Lincoln
THF159006 / Walking Stick, 1861-1863, Allegedly Owned by Abraham Lincoln
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Artifact Overview
Henry Ford collected many Lincoln-related artifacts, including this richly carved walking stick, containing images related to Emancipation. Its short length and notched peg at the end suggest that it is a handle once attached to a longer shaft. Our files hold affidavits by previous owners testifying that the stick was owned by the assassinated president. Whatever its origins, this is a remarkable example of Folk Art.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Walking stick
Date Made
1861-1863
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
32.374.2
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Wood (Plant material)
Technique
Carving (Processes)
Handmade
Color
Brown
Dimensions
Width: 5 in
Length: 17.75 in
Inscriptions
On banner: LIBERTY / E.PLURIBUS.UNUM.
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Related Content
SetHenry Ford and Abraham Lincoln
- 11 Artifacts
Henry Ford admired Lincoln's down-to-earth, frontier character. The image of Lincoln as the "rail splitter" is central to that theme - it emerged during the 1860 Illinois Republican nominating convention when Lincoln's cousin emerged with a banner constructed of rails split by Lincoln and the audience went wild. This fragment of a split rail was retailed at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair.