New Book of Lincoln Documents to Be Released April 18

Presidential Library Workshop April 19 on Authenticating Lincoln Documents

[March 28, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- After carefully examining the evidence, the forensics experts knew they had their man: A. Lincoln. Now, the results of years of their investigation are being made available to the general public.

The four-volume set "The Papers of Abraham Lincoln: Legal Documents and Cases" will be released during a noon luncheon on April 18 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. Tickets for the luncheon are $25 each and may be reserved by calling 217-558-8934 or visiting www.abelincolnmuseum.org. Daniel Stowell, director and editor of The Papers of Abraham Lincoln, will discuss the multiyear project that has attempted to locate and copy every document written by or to Abraham Lincoln. "Legal Documents and Cases" is the first printed publication of the project's work and follows the groundbreaking comprehensive DVD-ROM edition in 2000.

The process of identifying and preserving Lincoln documents is the subject of a free workshop scheduled for April 19 beginning at 1 p.m. at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. "CSI Springfield: Authenticating Lincoln Documents at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum" will feature John Lupton, associate director and associate editor of "The Papers of Abraham Lincoln," who will describe nuances of Lincoln's signature. Lupton is one of the world's top Lincoln handwriting experts and is often consulted to authenticate Lincoln documents. In addition, workshop participants will learn how to identify and authenticate old papers in a session led by James Cornelius, curator of the Lincoln Collection at the presidential library; and Bonnie Parr, curator and historical documents conservator, will demonstrate how to preserve old documents. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 217-558-8934.

The event will also feature a showcase of 25 chalk, oil crayon and wax crayon Abraham Lincoln portraits created by first-grade art students from Dixon Community Elementary Schools. For the past 10 years the students have created their interpretations of the man they see every day on money and license plates. The exhibit in the presidential library is free and open to public viewing April 17-20.

For more information on programs and events at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, visit www.alplm.org.

[Text from Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]