Lot 83

John Wilkes Booth’s Owned & Annotated Scenery List for His Most Iconic Role, Shakespeare's Richard III

Previous image preload Next image preload

John Wilkes Booth’s Owned & Annotated Scenery List for His Most Iconic Role, Shakespeare's Richard III

Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000

Current Bid: $4,250

(11 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

John Wilkes Booth
n.p., ca. 1862
John Wilkes Booth's Owned & Annotated Scenery List for His Most Iconic Role, Shakespeare's Richard III
Document

John Wilkes Booth's personally owned scenery list for William Shakespeare's Richard III, long considered to be Booths best performance. The manuscript outlines scene requirements for all five acts of the production and includes extensive references to gothic palaces, prisons, arches, woodlands, streets, tents, and scenic transitions used during the staging of the play. The title "Richard III" appears prominently at the head of the document, followed by organized listings for each act and corresponding scenic arrangements. The upper corner bears the notation "J. W. Booth 1862" in an unidentified contemporary hand, while two small handwritten amendments within the body of the manuscript are believed to be in Booth's own hand. They read "Front Ladder" and "1/2 Change." Only a few of these documents are known to exist. We base our belief that it is Booth's handwriting on other examples that exist but due to the limited handwriting, we cannot guarantee it can be definitively authenticated as such. Adding to this credibility is the fact that this item is from the Taper collection and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. These minor notations appear to concern scenic or ornamental staging adjustments and provide compelling evidence of Booth's direct involvement in the production process. Expected wear from use, toning and minor paper loss, else fine. Measures 8" x 12.5".

Ex. Louise & Barry Taper Collection at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum.

John Wilkes Booth's prompt book for Richard III is housed at the Henry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin.

Before becoming forever linked to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865, John Wilkes Booth was among the most prominent Shakespearean actors in the United States. Born into the legendary Booth theatrical family, he earned widespread acclaim for his performances in tragedies such as Hamlet, Macbeth, and especially Richard III.

John Wilkes Booth was famous for his portrayal of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and he regularly opened theatrical engagements in various cities with Richard III. Booth's first full appearance in the role occurred on October 5, 1860, while his final performance as Richard took place on May 12, 1864. During that span he performed the lead role approximately 115 times, making Richard unquestionably Booth's signature character and the role for which he was best known during his lifetime.

Just as Edwin Booth came to be remembered as one of history's greatest Hamlets, John Wilkes Booth might well have been remembered as one of the defining Richards of the nineteenth century had history taken a different course.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 8" x 12.5"
  • Medium: Document

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000