436 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1952 



tion is called to a recent (1952) study of the Volk mask by Dr. Edward 

 J. Kempf in which the following statement appears (p. 4) : "There is 

 an unusual depression in the forehead of the mask, with a palpable 

 edge, near the midline above the left eye. This deformation indicates 

 the place of fracture of [Lincoln's] skull." On this subjective and 

 hence shaky premise is then erected an elaborate neuropsychiatric 

 edifice in explanation of Lincoln's appearance, habits, and character. 

 We are not told how far removed from the original mold was the 

 particular mask which was examined, or why irregularities in the skin 

 surface can only represent a fracture of the underlying bone. For 

 my part I am unable to detect anything in the copies of the Volk and 

 Mills masks in the National Museum that I would interpret as evidence 

 of fracture. 



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Angle, Paul M. (editor). 



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1901. Recollections of President Lincoln and his administration. New York. 

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1899. Browere's life masks of great Americans. New York. 

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