Description:

John Wilkes Booth
Boston, MA, May 14, 1862
John Wilkes Booth 1862 Playbill During His Boston Debut
Broadside
An 1862 playbill advertising an evening performance by John Wilkes Booth. Measuring 6.25" x 14.5", Boston, dated ca. May 14, 1862. The Boston Museum advertises the engagement of Booth for a performance as Charles de Moor in Friedrich Schiller's play "The Robbers." Other plays advertised include "The Invisible Prince" and the comedy "Parents and Guardians." The playbill has flattened folds and creasing throughout, with slightly rough edges. Uneven toning and areas of staining. Paper is fragile but very good overall.

When the Civil War began on April 12, 1861, John Wilkes Booth was outspoken in his admiration for the South's secession, publicly calling it "heroic." This so enraged local citizens that they demanded that he be banned from the stage for making "treasonable statements". As the Civil War raged on, Booth appeared mostly in Union and border states. In May 1862, he made his Boston debut, playing nightly at the Boston Museum in Richard III (May 12, 15 and 23), Romeo and Juliet (May 13), The Robbers (May 14 and 21), Hamlet (May 16), The Apostate (May 19), The Stranger (May 20), and The Lady of Lyons (May 22). Following his performance of Richard III on May 12, the Boston Transcript's review the next day called Booth "the most promising young actor on the American stage".

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.

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  • Dimensions: 6.25" x 14.5"
  • Medium: Broadside

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March 12, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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