Description
Lincoln Mourning Ribbon for the Funeral of Abraham Lincoln, while laying in state in Philadelphia on April 22, 1865.
Sewn on white silk ribbon, pin holes along top and bottom quarter. Full piece measures 5.25″ x 2″. Accompanied by an announcement of a meeting on April 22, 1865, where “badges can be had of the Committee, Price 25 Cts,” shortly before the Lincoln funeral train arrived in Philadelphia. One example of this mourning ribbon was found in the Library of Congress. (Portfolio 17, no. 34 – scsm000750)
Abraham Lincoln’s funeral procession arrived in Philadelphia on the afternoon of Saturday, April 22, 1865, as part of the 1,600-mile funeral train route from Washington, D.C. to Springfield, Illinois. The president’s casket was escorted through the city by military units, officials, and civic groups, drawing tens of thousands of spectators who crowded Broad Street and Independence Square. His body was placed in the East Wing of Independence Hall. Viewing began at 10 p.m. and continued through the night; over 85,000 people filed past the coffin. On April 23, the casket was removed with full ceremony and conveyed to the train station as citizens sang hymns and bands played dirges.
