Yes, "Bluing" is a common characteristic of most darker red roses, both modern as well as antique. It has been so well known that a very early suggestion for breeding the "blue rose" was to breed those which blued the worst together, then continue selecting seedlings which demonstrated the "fault" worst. It wasn't until Foetida entered the modern rose line and began working its magic in red roses, those which resisted bluing were introduced. So, yes, the purple tones you observed in Mr. Lincoln are characteristic of the majority of red roses. Some do it worse than others and some conditions can favor the bluing better than others. If you read old rose introductions in old ARS annuals, "does not blue" is a very common statement in the descriptions of "improved" red roses. Kim

Lovely rose no matter the color!

Thanks for the explanation roseseek... I've heard of bluing but I've never seen one turn anywhere near that purple before...
Conditions must of been perfect for the effect...

You're welcome, Jim. It's the same issue with many russet roses. Brown Velvet and Victoriana are actually brilliant orange, but when conditions are right, they "blue" and appear chocolate brown. Many other roses do it, too. Just the way the pigments age. Kim