1960 REPUBLICAN CONVENTION WILL USE GAVEL THAT NOMINATED LINCOLN IN 1860
Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) On July 22, 1960, The Evening Star reports "the gavel used at the 1860 Republican convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln will be used again in Chicago."
Mrs. Anna Mae Switaski, vice-chair of the Connecticut Republican Party, was presented the gavel by George A. Morton of New Haven. The gavel is reportedly insured for $10,000.
Credit for the preservation of the historic gavel goes to George Ashmond who was the 1860 Republican convention chairman while credit for the use of the gavel in 1960 goes to Meade Alcorn who "persuaded" Mr. Morton to lend it to the convention.
Mr. Alcorn said...
"It is the authentic original gavel."
SOURCES
"G.O.P. Gets Lincoln Gavel," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 22, 1960, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
"G.O.P. Will Hear A Historic Gavel," by McCandlish Phillipsspecial To The New York Times, July 22, 1960, www.nytimes.com
