Description

Glass inkwell is shaped like a dome and features a short metal neck and a hinged metal lid adorned with a raised flower in the center and scrollwork around the edges. A piece of paper with type on one side is adhered to the bottom; the following is handwritten in ink on the opposite side: "This is the ink bottle into which President Lincoln dipped his pen in signing the Emancipation Proclamation. Presented by Tad Lincoln with his father's approval to Father Alexander Williamson who was tutor to the two boys Willie & Tad. In turn it was given to me and I have given it to my daughter Mrs. F.B. Farnsworth of Dunning, Neb. Witness my hand, W.B. Williamson, [illegible] Oklahoma. [illegible] 1861-6[illegible]." The hinged lid is detached from the neck of the jar. For more information on this inkwell, see "Lincoln Lore" numbers 172 (July 25, 1932) and 1843 (Winter, 1996), pages 2-3. Part of The Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum