(Lincoln, Abraham) | First separately published account of Lincoln's assassination

(Lincoln, Abraham)

Abott A. Abott. The Assassination and Death of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America, at Washington on the 14th of April 1865. New York: American News Company, 1865

8vo (182 x 118 mm). Title-page and all text pages with black mourning borders; a trifle dust-soiled, some marginal chipping. Self-wrappers, stitched; title-leaf splitting at central fold. Half red morocco slipcase gilt, chemise.

According to Midland Notes, Abott's compilation of contemporary dispatches and observations is the "first separately published account of the assassination." The text covers events of the evening of the 14 April through the morning of 15 April, including the attack on Secretary Seward. This now-scarce pamphlet was probably printed within a day or two of Lincoln's death, since it does not reference the frenzied hunt for Booth and the other conspirators.

REFERENCE

Midland Notes 4:1; Monaghan 372