Minneapolis: William H. M. Adams, 1928. Limited edition 500 numbered copies, this is #411.

Though not called for, Stimmel -- a member of the Union Light Guard who served as a bodyguard to President Lincoln from December of 1863 until April 14, 1865  -- has signed this copy and added "by a hand that clasped the hand of Abraham Lincoln."

Title page opened a little roughly, otherwise a fine copy in an 80% complete though torn dust wrapper and slightly rubbed slipcase.  Uncommon in this condition.

The assassination of Lincoln shocked Stimmel. The President, he noted, would not permit any members of his bodyguard to be present at any entertainment he attended. Therefore, Stimmel and his company remained in barracks near the White House while Lincoln was present at Ford’s Theater. “I had just gotten into a sound sleep, when I thought I heard someone call my name from outside the building,” recalled Stimmel. “I turned my head and listened, and again I heard someone call, ‘Sergeant Stimmel!’ I jumped up and put my head out of the window, and asked what was wanted. The man who called said hastily, ‘Lincoln and Seward have been killed.’”....

Lincoln’s death marked the conclusion of Stimmel’s recollections. In summing up his experiences, Stimmel praised the late President: “To me it was much to have lived for nearly a year and a half in close touch with a man like Lincoln. I was barely twenty-one when I joined his bodyguard, but throughout my long life I have been deeply grateful for the providence which gave me such glimpses of one of Earth’s grandest heroes, one of her noblest martyrs, one of the finest specimens of manhood which God, the Creator, has ever produced: Abraham Lincoln, Patriot! Statesman! Gentleman!”