Description:

Abraham Lincoln
Washington, D.C., March 28, 1865
Ticket to Ford's Theatre Just Weeks Before Lincoln Assassination
Ticket/Invitation

A rare Ford's Theatre ticket for a performance on March 28, 1865, just two weeks before the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Measuring 2" x 1.75", Washington, D.C., dated March 28, 1865. A blue ticket for a seat in the Orchestra, Section B, No. 265. With the names and address of people on the verso, "Sara Huntington" and "Clinton M. Hartford". The ticket has been bent or folded at center. Edge and corner wear. Good overall.

Much is made about John Wilkes Booth's last role played at Ford's Theatre on March 18, 1865, about one month prior to Lincoln's assassination. Booth was Pescara in a benefit performance of Irish playwright Richard Lalor Sheil's 5-act tragedy entitled "The Apostate." In this play about Moors, Catholics, and Protestants set during the Spanish Inquisition, Booth/Pescara played a murderous villain whose last lines were delivered while lunging a dagger at another character. Many have commented on the eerie foreshadowing of Booth's last lines: "This, ---this is left me still! --- Within my grasp I clutch it like a fierce and desp'rate joy! Look here! look here, vile Moor! --- Despite of fate I still shall triumph over thee!" Certainly there is a prescience to these lines, but the play that was staged on the night of March 28, 1865 actually represents a much clearer parallel to John Wilkes Booth's experience and world view.

Booth would have probably more closely identified with the plot line and characters of "Fra Diavolo," staged at Ford's Theatre on the night of our ticket stub: March 28, 1865. Its broad story arc involving Italian patriots fighting against French imperialists would have certainly resonated with John Wilkes Booth, who would have seen similarities with his own Confederacy valiantly struggling against the Union. "Fra Diavolo" - or "Brother Devil" - was a 3-act opéra comique by French composer Daniel Auber which had premiered in Paris in 1830. Max Maretzek's Grand Opera Company, an American opera company founded in 1849, staged the production that Tuesday night. (Please see attached newspaper clippings from the March 28, 1865 issues of the "Daily National Intelligencer and Washington Express" and "The Daily Morning Chronicle" to see advertisements at Ford's Theatre for "Fra Diavolo.")

The story of "Fra Diavolo" was inspired by the real-life Italian freedom-fighter Michele Pezza, who fought against Napoleonic French forces in southern Italy, ca. 1800. Pezza viewed the French as occupiers, in much the same way that Booth thought of the Union Army in the South. Pezza could have just as well shouted "Sic Semper Tyrannis!" as Booth did after shooting Lincoln. "Fra Diavolo" ends with Pezza's arrest and execution. Although Booth's story did not conclude in the same way as Pessa's, they had tragic parallels.

Ford's Theatre was an impressive multi-story brick-fronted theatre in downtown Washington, D.C. In period newspapers, it was actually called "Ford's New Theatre" since it had been rebuilt following an 1863 fire. Looking at period floor plans enables us to see exactly where the theatre attendee who bought this ticket would have sat. This ticket stub secured a seat in the Orchestra section of the main floor, specifically in the central "B" section. Orchestra chairs directly faced the orchestra pit and stage, and were the most expensive tickets to acquire, costing $2.50 apiece. Incidentally, the ticket holder of B265 would have probably had an unobstructed view of the Presidential Box where Lincoln was killed just 18 days later.

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: 2" x 1.75"
  • Medium: Ticket/Invitation

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