Most people when they hear the phrase "Lincoln Bible" they think of the inaugural bible. The President had several bibles. To my knowledge, there was his family bible, the inaugural bible and also the bible gifted by Amos S King from Port Byron, NY. The King Bible is not the same bible as the inaugural bible. While they do share some similarities, you may enjoy knowing more about each bible:
The Lincoln Inaugural Bible
President Lincoln took his oath as President on an Oxford Bible. Lincoln intended to use his family bible but it was not delivered in time for the ceremony. The clerk of the Supreme Court, William Thomas Carroll, provided the bible since the family bible was delayed. This was an 1853 Oxford Bible with velvet covering. The bible remained in the Lincoln family but was later donated to the Library of Congress after the death of Robert Todd Lincoln by his widow.
Photos of the 1861 Lincoln Inaugural Bible
USA Today report on Obama's use of Lincoln's Inaugural Bible
The Amos S King Bible
After reading the Farewell Address that President Elect Abraham Lincoln gave at Springfield, IL, Amos King of Port Byron was so moved that he sent the President a bible as a gift.
Lincoln's Farewell Address
Image of the Farewell Address
The Amos King bible is a Cambridge bible and has a genuine leather cover. The bible would also pass to Robert Todd Lincoln, son of the President, where it was placed in the library at his summer home called Hildene, located at Manchester, VT.
Amos sent the bible at or near inauguration day, as his letter that accompanied the bible was dated on inauguration day.
The King bible does show evidence of wear, an indication that the bible was enjoyed as a personal bible, having been used by the Lincoln family on a private basis.
What is similar about these two bibles?
1) Both bibles were printed in England.
2) Both bibles are associated with Lincoln's inauguration of 1861.
3) Both bibles were passed down to the family of Robert Todd Lincoln.
