Springfield, May 2nd, 2011

It was a great pleasure to me, in this far out of the way place to receive your last letter. Since I last wrote you, I have been quite ill, confined to my bed, for ten wearisome days--and now I am just able, to creep about. A fearful cold, appeared to settle in my spine & I was unable to sit up, with the sharp, burning agony, in my back. (47)

The conspiracy will continue to unfold. Write me as soon as you can with more information on the two areas you referred to, and your meeting with Dr. Cornelius. I know him to be all that is excellent, gifted with a fine intellect and unerring judgment. (48)

I hope your family remain in good health. Believe me, most respectfully. (49)

5/11/11

River Forest, Illinois

Dear Mary Lincoln,

There is no doubt; the painting's signature is spurious. Everything about it is wrong. Strange it was never mentioned in either of the restorer's letters.

Using a microscope, I then showed Dr. Cornelius that the brooch was also on top of the varnish and there were discernible strokes of something else underneath. I even showed him an image of the John Henry Brown miniature--clearly not the prototype for the painted broach. The angle of the face is different and the miniature is not in black-and-white.

As we looked at the portrait on my easel, I could feel what he was thinking. There was a long silence, finally broken by his epiphanous words--"It's not Mary Lincoln,"--and my reply--"Not only is it not Mary Lincoln, it's not Francis Carpenter."

He ended his visit and agreed to contact me in a few days with his decision on how to proceed. I will let you know.

Best regards,

Barry

Words are powerless to express the delight I felt on hearing from you once more. You have been so frequently in my thoughts of late that I must give vent to them in words which will be but a faint expression of the love and gratitude I feel towards you. (51)

This is wonderful news. I told you Dr. Cornelius was an honest man. I am anxious to hear from you concerning the brooch. You must write me immediately upon your further work. I feel assured now, whilst this subject, is agitated, your voice & your pen will not be silent. Congratulations on your findings. Always your affectionate friend. (52)

5/27/11

River Forest, Illinois

My dear Mrs. Lincoln,

Full View
After Cleaning

While I now understand many of the falsities surrounding the painting, I do not fully comprehend the conspiratorial evidence against Lew Bloom. Is there more you can tell me?

I trust all is well.

Barry

 Page 12

Notes:

47. It was a great pleasure...last letter. Turner. p. 564. Letter to James Smith. 6/4/1870. Since I last wrote...in my back. Turner. p. 546. Letter to Sally Orne. 2/11/1870.

48. I know him to be all that is excellent. Turner. p. 521. Letter to Sally Orne. 11/7/1869. Gifted with a fine intellect and unerring judgment. Turner. p. 534. Letter to Sally Orne. 12/12/1869.

49. I hope your family...respectfully. Turner. p. 628. Letter to Jacob Bunn. 3/19/1877.

50. Signature examples: Mr. David Quinlan (Lynn Falls example); Ms. Cindy Lou Molnar (National Portrait Gallery example); Ms. Laura J. Latman (Bowdoin College example); and Ms. Sarah K. Cahill (The Union League Club example).

51. My very dear Friend. Turner. p. 550. Letter to Sally Orne. 2/18/1870. Words are powerless...once more. Turner. p. 519. Letter to Sally Orne. 10/18/1869. You have been so frequently...I feel towards you. Pritchard/Emerson. p. 132. Letter to Myra Bradwell. 12/1/1876.

52. I feel assured now...will not be silent. Turner. p. 191. Letter to Charles Sumner. 11/20/1864. Always your affectionate friend. Turner. p. 552. Letter to Sally Orne. 3/31/1870.