The Clarke has a cast of Abraham Lincoln's hand. I talk about it a lot and insist the students take the opportunity to "shake" Lincoln's hand.
The Library of Congress has this cast as well. Their site notes,
Shortly after Lincoln was nominated for the presidency, Chicago sculptor Leonard Volk cast the nominee's hands at the Lincoln home in Springfield, Illinois. Lincoln's right hand had become swollen after shaking the hands of countless well-wishers in his hometown. When Volk suggested that his subject hold something, Lincoln sawed off a portion of a broom stick, which is visible in the casting.
I am appreciative of the Clarke staff who allowed my students the opportunity to visit the vault and get a chance to see and touch this artifact. Even the most cynical students seem to understand that they are being given a rare opportunity to interact with history. Students usually rate this class session as on the of the highlights of LIB 197.
My thanks to John Fierst and Susan Powers for allowing me to bring my class to the Clarke and touch Lincoln's hand. The students once again seemed very happy to have seen the Clarke Historical Library and interacted with Abe's hand.