Most of you know that I am a big Lincoln fan and my Jimmy is from Springfiled, Illinois...THE LAND OF LINCOLN! I found this interesting cup and saucer from New Salem, Illinois. Yes, a souvenir. I love cheesy souvenirs and I think this qualifies for just that. Poor Abe, he looks a bit stern I do believe.
Whenever I get to go back to Illinois, I love to go to all the places on the Lincoln tour. New Salem is a lovely historic park, about 20 miles outside of Springfield. It is a reconstructed village where the young Abraham Lincoln spent 6 years of his life. Volunteers dress up and enjoy telling you about life in the 1830's when Lincoln lived and worked in New Salem. I'm not sure when this teacup was sold there and I'm not sure how it migrated to Oregon, but it's in my collection now.
We all look at Mr. Lincoln on our pennies often. So what can you get for a penny anymore? The very first penny was issued in 1909. I like the graphics of this Abraham Lincoln.
I collect "smashed pennies" so that's what you can do with a penny! I bought this Penny Passport at a souvenir shop at the beach...yes, another souvenir! So, what is a smashed penny?
Many tourist places have these machines. You put in your penny and usually two quarters. You turn the crank and an imprint is stamped onto your smashed penny.
Yes, there was a machine at the wonderful Lincoln Museum in Springfield and I had to get a Lincoln image on my Lincoln penny! The first penny I ever got was one that a favorite uncle, my Uncle Rich, gave to me when I was a little girl. It has the Lord's Prayer stamped on it and I don't know how it never got lost, but I still have it. My uncle died really young and I have always treasured it.
This is my latest addition to my collection. It's from Alaska when we were visiting earlier this summer.
Maybe it would be fun to put together a bracelet like this one! I love bracelets.
Happy Tea Time Thursday and happy souvenir gathering and hunting. I know this is a little different than most of my Tea Time Thursday posts, but I had fun with it.
