Todd Letter Set (Lincolniana)

1930 1930. NF. Envelope, 8 photographs plus t.l.s. dated Dec 11, 1930 explaining the "Todd Letter Set" of photographs and related certified letter sold by E L Bangs, a noted collector and purveyor of Lincolniana who gathered a large collection over 30 years. (Much of his assemblage ended up in the collection of the Lincoln National Life Foundation). The "Todd Letter" is a first-hand account of the assassination of President Lincoln, written hours after the event, by a surgeon who would later become one of the three doctors who performed the autopsy of John Wilkes Booth. Bangs' certified letter recounts how Lincoln visited the US Monitor "Montauk" on the afternoon of April 14, 1865 and invited a number of the crew to the theatre that evening. This included the surgeon, Dr George B Todd, who would witness the events of that night and was ordered by the commander of the "Montauk" to "�. give the news to the people of the Nation and to the world generally". When later back on board, he wrote a letter to his brother, while all the details of the assassination were fresh in his mind. The body of John Wilkes Booth would be bought to the "Montauk" at 1:45am on April 27, where the autopsy would take place in the gun room (one of the photographs). Years later and upon becoming aware of the letter, Bangs managed to have it photographed (in order to preserve it should any disaster befall it) and would later sell or exchange these photographs to further his collection. Each of the 8 letters is annotated on the verso: Photos 1 � 4: "Page # Todd Letter" Photo 5: "Dr Geo. B Todd Surgeon of US Monitor Montauk 1863-68" Photo 6: "Gun Room US Monitor Montauk. The autopsy of John Wilks Booth was performed in this room. Dr Todd � one of the attending surgeons" Photo 7: "John Wilks Booth from the Lusby negative made on April 10 1865. Baltimore MD" Photo 8: The Personal Car of President Lincoln. Washington to Springfield 1865. The original envelope is post marked Dec 12, 1930, has E L Bangs return address label and is addressed to Mr P Finnimore in Birmingham, England. The letter to Finnimore offers to exchange the enclosed Todd Letter set for another item. The envelope the 'Todd Letter Set' has a closed tear down the front but otherwise everything is in near fine Condition. A scarce and unusual ephemeral item of Lincolniana. Rainford & Parris Books welcomes enquiries, so please do not hesitate to ask if you require further images or have any questions. All books are packaged with great care.