Object Details
Associated Name
Lincoln, Abraham
Description
Abraham Lincoln wore this black broadcloth coat, vest, and trousers, as his office suit during his presidency. The shirt and tie are reproductions.
Lincoln’s office suit was used in a preliminary study for a posthumous portrait by Boston artist William Morris Hunt. In May 1865 Mary Lincoln sent Thomas Pendel, the White House doorkeeper, to deliver the suit. Pendel, being about the same size as Lincoln, posed in the clothing for the artist. Hunt kept the suit, and in 1894 his widow donated the clothing to the Smithsonian.
Gift of Mrs. William Hunt, 1894
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. William Hunt
ID Number
COLL.ALSUIT.005004
accession number
27959
Object Name
Abraham Lincoln's office suit
suit
Physical Description
broadcloth (overall material)
black (overall color)
Measurements
overall on mount: 72 in x 35 in x 12 in; 182.88 cm x 88.9 cm x 30.48 cm
Related Publication
Rubenstein, Harry R.. Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life
See more items in
Political History: Political History, Presidential History Collection
Government, Politics, and Reform
Clothing & Accessories
Selections from the Abraham Lincoln Collection
Data Source
National Museum of American History
used
Presidents
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1359700