The Lincoln Collection

About the Lincoln Collection

The University of Delaware houses the Lincoln Collection, which contains over two thousand books and pamphlets, photographs, artwork, sculpture, artifacts, historic documents, and miscellaneous material pertaining to the life and career of Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), the sixteenth President of the United States. Among the most significant items in the collection are copies of the Emancipation Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment signed by Lincoln. Also included are official documents with Lincoln’s signature, two books from Lincoln’s personal library, newspapers and magazines of the period, and a copy of the Ford’s Theatre playbill printed shortly after the assassination. Among the artwork in the collection are photographs and lithographic portraits of Lincoln and bronze portrait busts. A group of prints by Currier and Ives depict Lincoln’s assassination and funeral. The collection also includes a large group of printed funeral orations and memorials.

History of the Lincoln Club

Lincoln Exhibitions

The Lincoln Collection exhibition marquee window is located outside of Special Collections. The Lincoln Collection exhibition changes twice a year. To learn more information about past Lincoln Collection exhibitions, click on the links below.

Using the Lincoln Collection

The Lincoln Collection is available for use in the Special Collections Department of the Morris Library.

Books and journals in the Lincoln Collection can be accessed using DELCAT, the Library’s online catalog. Cataloged items in the Lincoln Collection include tracings in DELCAT for both “Lincoln Collection” and “Lincoln Club of Delaware.” A complete listing of these holdings can be obtained by either of the following DELCAT searches:

  • Use Browse Author and enter “Lincoln Collection”
  • Use Browse Author and enter “Lincoln Club of Delaware”

Manuscript and archival materials in the Lincoln Collection include the following: