The Madness of Mary Lincoln

Appendix 2: Legal Documents Pertaining to the Sale and Destruction of the Mary Lincoln Insanity Letters

appendix 2 Legal Documents Pertaining to the Sale and Destruction of the Mary Lincoln Insanity Letters 1) Contract of sale between Myra Pritchard and Mary Harlan Lincoln, January 31, 1928. Originals located in both the Towers Lincoln Papers and the Pritchard Family Papers. KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS That— WHEREAS Myra Helmer Pritchard, party of the first part, is the owner of and has in her possession certain original letters written by the late Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, which said letters have been copied, elaborated upon and incorporated into a narrative, hereinafter referred to as “manuscript,” which letters and manuscript it is the desire of the party of the first part to sell and dispose of; and WHEREAS Norman B. Frost and Frederic N. Towers, copartners , hereinafter referred to as “Frost & Towers,” parties of the second part, are desirous of purchasing said original letters, manuscript and all photostatic or other copies thereof, together with the exclusive right to publish them, it or any thereof; NOW, THEREFORE, this agreement witnesseth that in consideration of the premises and the sum of Twenty-two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($22,500.00), Eleven Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($11,250.00) of which is hereby acknowledged and Eleven Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($11,250.00) of which shall be paid by said parties of the second part to said party of the first part on or before July 15, 1928, said party of the first part has granted, bargained, sold and assigned, and by these presents does grant, bargain, sell and assign unto said parties of the second part, their heirs, executors and assigns, said original letters and manuscript , together with all photostatic and other copies thereof, to all of which said party of the first part warrants her title to be good, sufficient and free of encumbrance, and all of which are her sole and separate property and estate. Said party of the first part hereby warrants that there are no copies of said letters or of said manuscript in the possession of any indi179 180 . Appendix 2 vidual, individuals or corporation, of which she has knowledge, and that there are no additional copies thereof, photostatic or otherwise in her possession. Said party of the first part further warrants that there are no further or original letters of the said Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, or copies thereof, in her possession; and that she will not publish, permit or cause to be published, any thereof that may hereafter come into her possession, it being mutually agreed and understood between the parties hereto that any such letters or copies thereof hereafter coming into her possession will be delivered by her to the parties of the second part to be added to and become a part of those sold hereunder and hereby for and in consideration of the premises and the purchase price now paid to her by said parties of the second part. Said party of the first part further warrants, covenants and agrees that if said manuscript, letters or copies thereof be published or offered for sale, in whole or in part, by any person, persons or corporation into whose possession it, they, or any thereof, at any time came through her act, and, it appearing that said parties of the second part or their principal, grantee or agent have not authorized such publication or given said manuscript, letter or any thereof into the possession of such person, persons or corporation, then, and in that event, the purpose of this sale giving the exclusive and absolute right in and to said manuscript and letters to the parties of the second part having been defeated, the purchase price thereof, or so much of it as shall have then been paid to said party of the first part, shall be returned by her forthwith to said parties of the second part. And the said party of the first part further covenants and agrees that a breach of any warranty or warranties herein contained shall become and have the effect of breach and nullification of this entire agreement, and shall immediately result in an obligation upon her part to return to the parties of the second part the money consideration paid to her by them for said letters and manuscript. IN WITNESS WHEREOF said parties of the first and second parts have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals this 31st day of January, 1928. Myra Helmer Pritchard Norman Frost Frederic...