Mary Todd Lincoln: First Lady of Controversy

Here are a few spreads from the catalog for an exhibit of the same name.

There’s Something About Mary [Todd Lincoln].

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation and Museum called upon Creativille, to design the the companion book to their current exhibit, “Mary Todd Lincoln: First Lady of Controversy.” Written by Tom Schwartz, resident Lincoln historian, and packed full of artifacts and ephemera from Mary’s life, this catalogue introduces the controversial First Lady to Lincoln fans and historians as no other book has before.

Creativille takes care in representing the content and context of any piece in the final design. In Mary’s case, this book conveys the sophistication of a first lady with a touch of opulence with a foil-stamped monogram (based on Mary’s personal wax stamp) and a debossed texture of Mary’s handwriting.

“I’m very proud of this book,” Steve Hartman says, “its a beautiful catalogue, it’s very respectful to one of America’s most interesting First Ladies, and a great artifact of both American and Illinois history. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is a first class institution and a great client. I think this book really captures their excellence.”

Mary Todd Lincoln: First Lady of Controversy is published by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, 96 page book, double cover.

This one-of-a-kind book is still available for purchase at the Museum book store, online.

Filed under: Book Design, Creativille, First Lady, Illinois History, Mary Todd Lincoln, Steve Hartman, Tom Schwartz

Abraham Lincoln Cookbook Design. Plus Recipe.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Volunteers have created this top-selling fundraising cookbook using Lincoln Era Recipes paired with recipes from the volunteers’ and staff’s own cupboard.

Creativille Designed Cookbook Goes on Sale to Raise Money for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Volunteers.

Take a pinch of history, sprinkle it with historic artifacts, mix well with recipes from staff and volunteers, and prepare to enjoy a new cookbook from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM).

The A. Lincoln Cookbook:  A Cookbook of Epic Portions is available in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum Gift Shop. The $39.99 cookbook features 623 recipes contributed by staff and volunteers, and includes a section of Lincoln era and Lincoln family recipes.

The dividers feature photographs of dining-related artifacts from the Library and Museum’s Lincoln collection.  Sections include appetizers and beverages; soups and salads; vegetables and side dishes; main dishes; breads and rolls; desserts; cookies and candy; and this & that.

Proceeds from the A. Lincoln Cookbook will help support programs for our volunteers, including continuing education, our volunteer resource library, and special tours.

There is a distinct stereotype of the fund-raising cookbook. If you are a collector of this genre, this is a must have. “We did not sacrifice the quality of work that we do for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, or any other client,” Steve Hartman states, “just because of what you think a fundraising cookbook should look like. The Volunteer’s Group didn’t want that. What we gave them was a museum-caliber design that eclipses the genre of non-profit volunteer cookbooks.”

The following recipe was adapted from “A. Lincoln Cookbook: A Cookbook of Epic Portions.” It was previously printed in The Ladies’ Home Journal of May 1923.

Mary Todd’s Pecan Cake

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
6 eggs, separated
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 pound pecan pieces
1 pound raisins, chopped
1 cup orange juice
1/2 nutmeg seed, grated

Cream butter lightly and cream in the sugar. Beat egg yolks until frothy and add to sugar mixture.

Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda. Dredge nuts and raisins in 1/4 cup of flour mixture.

Alternately add orange juice and flour mixture to sugar mixture. Beat well.

Add pecans and raisins. Add nutmeg.

Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into batter. Pour into greased and floured pan (tube or fluted) or two smaller round cake pans.

Bake at 350 degrees 50-60 minutes.

Makes 12 servings.

Buy the cookbook for $39.95 online at the Museum bookstore.

Filed under: Book Design, A. Lincoln Cookbook, Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Cookbook Design, Creativille, Fundraising Cookbook, Steve Hartman, Volunteer Cookbook