Mary Lincoln: Biography of a Marriage Value Guide

This 1953 biography by Ruth Painter Randall is a landmark work that sought to rehabilitate the reputation of Mary Todd Lincoln through meticulous research. It is highly collectible for its role in shifting the historical narrative of the Lincoln marriage from one of strife to one of complex devotion.

What affects the value of Mary Lincoln: Biography of a Marriage?

• The presence and condition of the original 1953 dust jacket significantly impacts the $15-$25 price range.
• Overall physical state, including the absence of foxing on the paper and minimal wear to the cloth spine.
• Provenance or signatures, such as a flat signed copy by Ruth Painter Randall, can increase collector interest.
• The edition number, with true first printings commanding the highest end of the value spectrum.

How to Identify Mary Lincoln: Biography of a Marriage?

• Check for the 1953 publication date on the title page and the 'First Edition' statement if applicable.
• Verify the author is Ruth Painter Randall and the publisher is Little, Brown and Company.
• Look for the original cloth binding, typically featuring gold or silver lettering on the spine.
• Confirm the presence of the original dust jacket, which often features a portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln.

History of Mary Lincoln: Biography of a Marriage

Published in 1953, this biography by Ruth Painter Randall offers an intimate look into the complex life and marriage of Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of President Abraham Lincoln. Randall's work challenged some of the prevailing negative perceptions of Mary Lincoln at the time, offering a more nuanced and sympathetic portrayal based on extensive research. It remains an important contribution to the study of American presidential history and the lives of the women who stood beside these influential figures.