1958 Library of Congress David Mearns signed letter Civil War Abraham Lincoln --
Check it out...Here's a classic original 8 1/2" wide by 11" tall typed & AUTOGRAPHED letter dated August 14, 1958 from Civil War historian, Library of Congress official, Abraham Lincoln scholar & author David C. Mearns (Died in 1981)-The letter is on the letterhead of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. & has content about a subscription to the Lincoln Herald at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate Tennessee. Letter sent to LMU Director of the Department of Lincolniana-(See photos below for clarification)- 100% HAND SIGNED as "David" in black ink-Comes with a modern photo of Mr. Mearns too. It will display so nicely-A great one-of-a-kind item! Postage information is listed at the bottom-$ 5.95 postage is required. 1958 Library of Congress David Mearns signed letter Civil War Abraham Lincoln -- Click images to enlarge Description Check it out...Here's a classic original 8 1/2" wide by 11" tall typed & AUTOGRAPHED letter dated August 14, 1958 from Civil War historian, Library of Congress official, Abraham Lincoln scholar & author David C. Mearns (Died in 1981)-The letter is on the letterhead of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. & has content about a subscription to the Lincoln Herald at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate Tennessee. Letter sent to LMU Director of the Department of Lincolniana-(See photos below for clarification)- 100% HAND SIGNED as "David" in black ink-Comes with a modern photo of Mr. Mearns too. It will display so nicely-A great one-of-a-kind item! Here's some info on Mr. Mearns: David Chambers Mearns (December 31, 1899 – May 21, 1981) was a librarian and scholar of Abraham Lincoln. He held multiple positions at the Library of Congress over 58 years of service, including director of the reference department, chief of the manuscript division, and Chair of American History. Mearns wrote the first authoritative book on the Library's collection of Lincoln's papers, along with twelve other books. Librarian of Congress Archibald MacLeish described Mearns as "the rarest treasure in the Library of Congress". David Chambers Mearns was born December 31, 1899, in Washington, D.C. He was a student at St. Albans School beginning in 1914, graduating in 1916. Mearns attended George Washington University from 1916 to 1917 and the University of Virginia in 1918, but graduated from neither school. His only degree was the honorary Doctor of Letters degree he received from Lincoln College in 1960. Mearns was hired at the Library of Congress in 1918, in a position sorting books in the library's cellar for a salary of $360 a year. From 1920 to 1943, he served in a number of increasingly responsible roles within the Library's Reading Room, including chief assistant of the Reading Rooms Division and Superintendent of Reading Rooms. In 1943, Mearns became the director of the Reference Department, the largest department in the Library. In this position and following administration positions, he gradually took on the role of the principal interpreter of the Library's history and services. He wrote The story up to now: the Library of Congress, 1800-1946 in 1947, providing a historical perspective on the institution. 1949 saw Mearns appointed to the role of assistant librarian, joining Luther H. Evans and Verner Clapp in the primary administrative roles of running the Library. He became chief of the Manuscript Division in 1951, the role he would keep until his retirement in 1967. He continued writing about the history of the Library, including Herbert Putnam, 1861-1955 : a memorial tribute in 1956. Under his direction, the Library began the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections program, providing cataloging for archival and manuscript collections in archives and historical societies across the United States. He was also instrumental in shepherding a program to process and microfilm the presidential papers collection. As assistant librarian for the American collections, he coordinated all acquisitions and services in the library relating to American history and civilization. After his retirement, he served as the Library as an honorary consultant in the humanities until 1976. Associate Librarian of Congress John C. Broderick wrote about his career: David Mearns's contributions to the Library of Congress were perhaps more qualitative than quantitative. He steeped himself in the Library's history and its collections to know the answers to questions and to make them known to others. He published his own findings but more often encouraged publications by others. He fashioned the Presidential Papers Program and thus spread throughout the American research library system the Library's most treasured original research materials. More than anything else, he represented the Library of Congress to a world of historians, bookpeople, the working press, and the public at large. The papers of Abraham Lincoln were collected and organized by his son Robert Todd Lincoln, who deeded the collection to the Library of Congress in 1923. Mearns became interested in the Library's Lincoln collection while working in the reference room in the 1920s, and especially after seeing Robert Todd Lincoln at the Library. He began studying the collection as soon as they were available for study in 1947, and published the first authoritative report in 1948, with a foreword by Carl Sandburg. Mearns wrote, co-wrote, and contributed to several books about Lincoln throughout his career, including Largely Lincoln in 1961. After the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, First Lady Jackie Kennedy requested ceremonies similar to those rendered for Abraham Lincoln. Professor James I. Robertson Jr., director of the American Civil War Centennial Commission, contacted Mearns to research what those ceremonies had entailed. Using flashlights because the Library's timed lights would not operate after business hours, they retrieved issues of Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper and Harper's Weekly, which gave elaborate details about Lincoln's funeral. This information was used to decorate the White House's East Room just as it had been a century before. Mearns was a part of the National Historical Publications Commission (now the National Archives and Records Administration's National Historical Publications and Records Commission) for thirteen years, representing the Library of Congress. He served on multiple other commissions, including several Civil War centennial commissions and the Lincoln Sesquicentennial Commission. He was elected as a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1966. Mearns was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Postage information is listed at the bottom-$ 5.95 postage is required. Payment We accept Paypal payments. Shipping We will try and combine shipping on multiple purchases wherever possible. Please e-mail us with auction item numbers before sending payment. However, if the items are heavy or require special packing / tracking, the postal rates might not be significantly reduced. We no longer ship overseas first class mail. We will only ship Internationally by Priority Mail, and that starts at $30.00. So please be aware that we NO LONGER SHIP FIRST CLASS MAIL INTERNATIONALLY unless seller agrees to ship by USPS Priority mail at an increased rate. Postage rates are non-negotiable and non-refundable. We pack every item professionally using new packing materials and appropriate mailing supplies. We send all items via US Postal Service.The U.S.Postal service rates change fairly regularly every year and we don't make money on postage like some other ebay sellers. I think you'll find that we're quite fair. Thank-you! Terms of Sale I try and place a penny in every photo to help judge the size of the item, obviously it is there for size comparison and is not included with the item. The standard sized Lincoln head penny in the photograph is there for size comparison ONLY and is not included in the package. We're just trying to help you figure out how big the item is. We try and always be as accurate as we can in the item description and will gladly answer any question about item size & description when needed. Please e-mail us with any questions BEFORE the end of sale and BEFORE placing a bid. Postage is determined by the U.S. Postal service and is never refundable. Many of the items are VINTAGE and although they are in very fine condition, they may not function as well as when they were made decades ago. So if you intend on using the old item, please be aware that we are selling it for collector value only. In other words, if you intend on using a 50+ year old letter opener and it breaks, don't get mad at us. It may be hard to believe, but we have received a couple negatives because people broke vintage items while trying to use them. About Us Our Mission statement: We try to offer Ebay users unique additions to their collections. We comb the antique stores & malls as well as Antique shows & flea markets from Coast-to-coast in an effort to try and find that special addition to your collection. We travel hundreds of miles and wake up with the sun in search of these items. We truly have a love for our hobby / business. Please be aware of the postage rates BEFORE you bid! We pack professionally and do not try and make money off of postage. We generally charge the same postal rate that the US Post Office charges us. We'll respect you, but please respect us as well. Thanks & happy bidding to you! Good Luck! Contact Us Please e-mail us with any questions BEFORE the end of sale and BEFORE placing a bid. Postage is determined by the U.S. Postal service and is never refundable. Please be aware of the postage rates BEFORE you bid! We pack professionally and do not try and make money off of postage. Get images that make Supersized seem small.Showcase your items with Auctiva's Listing Templates! THE simple solution for eBay sellers. Track Page Views WithAuctiva's Counter
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Check it out…Here’s a classic original 8 1/2″ wide by 11″ tall typed & AUTOGRAPHED letter dated August 14, 1958 from Civil War historian, Library of Congress official, Abraham Lincoln scholar & author David C. Mearns (Died in 1981)-The letter is on the letterhead of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. & has content about a subscription to the Lincoln Herald at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate Tennessee. Letter sent to LMU Director of the Department of Lincolniana-(See photos below for clarification)- 100% HAND SIGNED as “David” in black ink-Comes with a modern photo of Mr. Mearns too. It will display so nicely-A great one-of-a-kind item! Postage information is listed at the bottom-$ 5.95 postage is required. 1958 Library of Congress David Mearns signed letter Civil War Abraham Lincoln — Click images to enlarge Description Check it out…Here’s a classic original 8 1/2″ wide by 11″ tall typed & AUTOGRAPHED letter dated August 14, 1958 from Civil War historian, Library of Congress official, Abraham Lincoln scholar & author David C. Mearns (Died in 1981)-The letter is on the letterhead of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. & has content about a subscription to the Lincoln Herald at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate Tennessee. Letter sent to LMU Director of the Department of Lincolniana-(See photos below for clarification)- 100% HAND SIGNED as “David” in black ink-Comes with a modern photo of Mr. Mearns too. It will display so nicely-A great one-of-a-kind item! Here’s some info on Mr. Mearns: David Chambers Mearns (December 31, 1899 – May 21, 1981) was a librarian and scholar of Abraham Lincoln. He held multiple positions at the Library of Congress over 58 years of service, including director of the reference department, chief of the manuscript division, and Chair of American History. Mearns wrote the first authoritative book on the Library’s collection of Lincoln’s papers, along with twelve other books. Librarian of Congress Archibald MacLeish described Mearns as “the rarest treasure in the Library of Congress”. David Chambers Mearns was born December 31, 1899, in Washington, D.C. He was a student at St. Albans School beginning in 1914, graduating in 1916. Mearns attended George Washington University from 1916 to 1917 and the University of Virginia in 1918, but graduated from neither school. His only degree was the honorary Doctor of Letters degree he received from Lincoln College in 1960. Mearns was hired at the Library of Congress in 1918, in a position sorting books in the library’s cellar for a salary of $360 a year. From 1920 to 1943, he served in a number of increasingly responsible roles within the Library’s Reading Room, including chief assistant of the Reading Rooms Division and Superintendent of Reading Rooms. In 1943, Mearns became the director of the Reference Department, the largest department in the Library. In this position and following administration positions, he gradually took on the role of the principal interpreter of the Library’s history and services. He wrote The story up to now: the Library of Congress, 1800-1946 in 1947, providing a historical perspective on the institution. 1949 saw Mearns appointed to the role of assistant librarian, joining Luther H. Evans and Verner Clapp in the primary administrative roles of running the Library. He became chief of the Manuscript Division in 1951, the role he would keep until his retirement in 1967. He continued writing about the history of the Library, including Herbert Putnam, 1861-1955 : a memorial tribute in 1956. Under his direction, the Library began the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections program, providing cataloging for archival and manuscript collections in archives and historical societies across the United States. He was also instrumental in shepherding a program to process and microfilm the presidential papers collection. As assistant librarian for the American collections, he coordinated all acquisitions and services in the library relating to American history and civilization. After his retirement, he served as the Library as an honorary consultant in the humanities until 1976. Associate Librarian of Congress John C. Broderick wrote about his career: David Mearns’s contributions to the Library of Congress were perhaps more qualitative than quantitative. He steeped himself in the Library’s history and its collections to know the answers to questions and to make them known to others. He published his own findings but more often encouraged publications by others. He fashioned the Presidential Papers Program and thus spread throughout the American research library system the Library’s most treasured original research materials. More than anything else, he represented the Library of Congress to a world of historians, bookpeople, the working press, and the public at large. The papers of Abraham Lincoln were collected and organized by his son Robert Todd Lincoln, who deeded the collection to the Library of Congress in 1923. Mearns became interested in the Library’s Lincoln collection while working in the reference room in the 1920s, and especially after seeing Robert Todd Lincoln at the Library. He began studying the collection as soon as they were available for study in 1947, and published the first authoritative report in 1948, with a foreword by Carl Sandburg. Mearns wrote, co-wrote, and contributed to several books about Lincoln throughout his career, including Largely Lincoln in 1961. After the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, First Lady Jackie Kennedy requested ceremonies similar to those rendered for Abraham Lincoln. Professor James I. Robertson Jr., director of the American Civil War Centennial Commission, contacted Mearns to research what those ceremonies had entailed. Using flashlights because the Library’s timed lights would not operate after business hours, they retrieved issues of Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper and Harper’s Weekly, which gave elaborate details about Lincoln’s funeral. This information was used to decorate the White House’s East Room just as it had been a century before. Mearns was a part of the National Historical Publications Commission (now the National Archives and Records Administration’s National Historical Publications and Records Commission) for thirteen years, representing the Library of Congress. He served on multiple other commissions, including several Civil War centennial commissions and the Lincoln Sesquicentennial Commission. He was elected as a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1966. Mearns was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Postage information is listed at the bottom-$ 5.95 postage is required. Payment We accept Paypal payments. Shipping We will try and combine shipping on multiple purchases wherever possible. Please e-mail us with auction item numbers before sending payment. However, if the items are heavy or require special packing / tracking, the postal rates might not be significantly reduced. We no longer ship overseas first class mail. We will only ship Internationally by Priority Mail, and that starts at $30.00. So please be aware that we NO LONGER SHIP FIRST CLASS MAIL INTERNATIONALLY unless seller agrees to ship by USPS Priority mail at an increased rate. Postage rates are non-negotiable and non-refundable. We pack every item professionally using new packing materials and appropriate mailing supplies. We send all items via US Postal Service.The U.S.Postal service rates change fairly regularly every year and we don’t make money on postage like some other ebay sellers. I think you’ll find that we’re quite fair. Thank-you! Terms of Sale I try and place a penny in every photo to help judge the size of the item, obviously it is there for size comparison and is not included with the item. The standard sized Lincoln head penny in the photograph is there for size comparison ONLY and is not included in the package. We’re just trying to help you figure out how big the item is. We try and always be as accurate as we can in the item description and will gladly answer any question about item size & description when needed. Please e-mail us with any questions BEFORE the end of sale and BEFORE placing a bid. Postage is determined by the U.S. Postal service and is never refundable. Many of the items are VINTAGE and although they are in very fine condition, they may not function as well as when they were made decades ago. So if you intend on using the old item, please be aware that we are selling it for collector value only. In other words, if you intend on using a 50+ year old letter opener and it breaks, don’t get mad at us. It may be hard to believe, but we have received a couple negatives because people broke vintage items while trying to use them. About Us Our Mission statement: We try to offer Ebay users unique additions to their collections. We comb the antique stores & malls as well as Antique shows & flea markets from Coast-to-coast in an effort to try and find that special addition to your collection. We travel hundreds of miles and wake up with the sun in search of these items. We truly have a love for our hobby / business. Please be aware of the postage rates BEFORE you bid! We pack professionally and do not try and make money off of postage. We generally charge the same postal rate that the US Post Office charges us. We’ll respect you, but please respect us as well. Thanks & happy bidding to you! Good Luck! Contact Us Please e-mail us with any questions BEFORE the end of sale and BEFORE placing a bid. Postage is determined by the U.S. Postal service and is never refundable. Please be aware of the postage rates BEFORE you bid! We pack professionally and do not try and make money off of postage. Get images that make Supersized seem small.Showcase your items with Auctiva’s Listing Templates! THE simple solution for eBay sellers. Track Page Views WithAuctiva’s Counter
