John Wilkes Booth Abraham Lincoln Memorabilia
John Wilkes Booth
Original Antique 1863 Broadside Playbill (5 x14")

A Museum Grade Treasure from the Boston Museum
 

Just Acquired:  Astonishing John Wilkes Booth Broadside Playbill from 1863.   We discovered this museum grade treasure yesterday and will have it soon, but thought you might like to see it now.

This is one of the most significant pieces of genuine history we have acquired since I started collecting historical artifacts in 1980.     And, this is particularly desirable as JW Booth is scheduled to appear in Boston in the lead role of the famous play of all time, Romeo & Juliet.   The irony of the man who would commit the most heinous act, playing the most tormented character in theatrical history just one year before his monumental atrocity..    I imagine on that omen-ous night in Boston,  Booth's performance was magnificent...
 And the world would be cheated of the most gifted president in American history..  What might he have accomplished in the next 20 years had there been no John Wilkes Booth ....  ?

* See enlargeable images above and below

Desirable printed broadside playbill, 5 x 14, advertising a performance of Romeo and Juliet at the Boston Museum on January 30, 1863, starring John Wilkes Booth in the famed title role. The broadside prominently bills Booth at the top, reading: “Benefit of J. Wilkes Booth, On which occasion he will have the honor of appearing as Romeo! In Shakespeare’s Tragedy Romeo and Juliet!” Booth’s name also appears in bold in the full cast listing closer to the bottom of the broadside. Double-matted and framed to an overall size of 14 x 23.75. In very good condition, with overall creasing, scattered staining and soiling, and repairs to a few tears and areas of paper loss to edges.

Read More fascinating history on the Boston Museum (1841-1903)...HERE