RR Auctions John Wilkes Booth

John Wilkes Booth
Lincoln’s assassin writes to Joseph Simonds in a rare 1861 letter about his stage tour, later using Simonds as an ignorant partner in the 1864 conspiracy plot to kidnap the president

A member of the well-known Booth family of Shakespearean actors and a somewhat erratic, if popular, performer. A supporter of slavery and the South, he participated in the arrest and execution of abolitionist John Brown in 1859. In the fall of 1864, he hatched a plan to kidnap President Abraham Lincoln but the scheme failed. He then concocted the plot to assassinate Lincoln, which he did in Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865, before jumping to the stage and allegedly crying out, “Sic semper tyrannis! The South is avenged!” Booth was located and killed twelve days later. War-dated ALS signed “J. Wilkes Booth,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 8, November 23, 1861. Letter written from Cincinnati to Joseph H. Simonds. In full: “I know you will forgive me, this long delay in answering your letters; if you knew better you would not wonder at it, as I avail myself of any excuse to get rid of writing, no matter how I may long to hear from the person to whom I have to write. And I confess I should like to hear from you every day. I received your photograph, a thousand thanks, I think it very good, I believe you have mine. My second week in Buffalo was so, so. I played 17 nights in Detroit to a good Bus[iness]. After here Monday night, 25th, they count high on me but I am doubtful as to my success. Maggie Mitchel is playing a good engagement here.” At this point in the letter, Booth’s handwriting begins to get a bit more jumbled. He continues: “I should have has been; as she finished last night. My dear Joe excuse this as I am standing in the office with about a hundred people about me blowing at a fearful rate. I am not fixed yet, so I cannot go to my room. Yours of the 16th also reached me, in Detroit. It seems that Forrest is always in trouble. I am sorry his bus. is not better, for it is rough to see such trash (as Barney Williams practices on the stage), get the best of the legitimate, but sich is life. Give my kindest regards to the Bugbe’s. Has Mr. B. gone to Cal. yet? I addressed a letter to him in your care, did you get it. I will write to you more intelligibly the next time, so asking you to excuse this again.” Mild toning along two horizontal mailing folds, and a couple light brushes to text, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Booth’s hand and docketed by Simonds. Published in Right or Wrong, God Judge Me: The Writings of John Wilkes Booth, ed. J. Rhodehamel and L. Taper, pp.93-94. Provenance: The Sang Collection (sale, Sotheby Parke Bernet, 26 April 1978), lot 46 [envelope then present] — Anonymous owner (sale, Christie’s, 9 December 1993, lot 158, $42,550). This rare long letter, written while standing in a hotel lobby waiting for a room, gives unusual insight into the famed actor’s touring stage life. Written to theater buff and close friend, J. H. Simonds, an ambitious Boston Bank clerk with whom Booth had interests in the Pennsylvania oil fields. The mentioned “Forrest” was the famous classical actor Edwin Forrest; his career was plagued by scandals, he had disappeared from the stage after a messy 1850s divorce, and was attempting a 1860-61 comeback. “Maggie Mitchel” was rising star Maggie Mitchell, Lincoln’s favorite actresses, who frequently acted with Booth, while “Barney Williams” was a popular Irish-born comic actor who delighted audiences as a blackface minstrel, often playing for the Union troops. “The Bugbe’s” mentioned near the letter’s closing were a Philadelphia family, known to the Booths, that moved to Boston before settling in California; John Stevenson Bugbee was living in California at this time. Booth opened a 10-day engagement on November 25 at Wood’s Theatre in Cincinnati, appearing in, among others, Othello, Macbeth, Hamlet, and The Marble Heart (which Lincoln once saw featuring Booth). Although audiences were unimpressed and the box office disappointing, The Cincinnati Commercial declared that “Mr. Booth has caught some of the fire that animated his great father.” As his theatrical income declined during the war, Booth turned to his neglected oil investments for income which Simonds had stepped in to oversee. By 1865, Simonds had loaned the actor money, including a $500 bequest that the future assassin used to buy guns and supplies for the abortive plot to kidnap Lincoln in March 1864 (unbeknown to Simonds). After the president’s assassination, Simonds was summoned to testify about Booth’s investments during Lincoln conspirators’ trial in May 1865. A highly desirable and rare letter written to a friend that Booth later used to forward his aborted kidnap plot. The letter is also noteworthy for its very scarce 3¢ pink of 1861 (Scott 64) stamp used on the mailing envelope.

The March 2012 Auction closes on Wednesday March 14, 2012

 

RR Auctions Edgar Allan Poe’s only known check

Edgar Allan Poe’s only known check, Vladimir Lenin’s ultra-rare handwritten letter, and one of FDR’s only known inauguration photos are only a few of the notoriously scarce items being offered in RR Auctions February collection.

Edgar Allan Poe gained instant notoriety after the 1845 publication of his poem, The Raven. He would go on to buy out the Broadway Journal, a move that would validate him in terms of becoming the professional writer he always wanted to be. This entirely handwritten check-the only known example in existence-dated May 14, 1846, was penned with instructions to his lawyer and owner and publisher of Godey’s Magazine and Lady’s Book, Louis A. Godey, to draw thirty dollars from his account to pay Harden & Co., the express mail service he utilized to deliver his articles for publication.

In January of 1917, Vladimir Lenin was waiting to seize his moment—the moment that would deliver him from exile in Zurich back into his native Russia. Postmarked on the 16^th of the month, Lenin penned a quick and urgent letter inviting a supporter to rendezvous with himself and Polish socialist leader, Mieczyslav Bronski. Within weeks of this meeting, Bronski would deliver the piece of news that delivered Lenin his big break: the Tsar of Nicholas II’s abdication of the throne. This event sent Lenin forging through a war-riddled Europe as he prepared to gain support for the October Revolution, an event through which Lenin would radically shift Russia’s ideology, giving way to the birth of the Soviet Union. Any written correspondence from Lenin is exceedingly scarce, especially those so floridly signed.

An exceptionally rare and oversized signed photo of FDR’s unprecedented third inauguration on January 20, 1941, the day he would become the only American president to serve three terms. This image marks the first time in the last 35 years that any images of Roosevelt’s ground-breaking inauguration have been offered in public auction.

Also included in this month’s robust auction are a fantastic oversized image of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, inscribed in 1969; a spectacular document signed by Henry VIII; an elusive Geronimo signature; a second generation Dezo Hoffmann photo of the Fab Four; and a magical gathering of artifacts from the original masters of the craft, including Houdini.  All of these coveted items and more will be available for auction on January 27.

For information, visit the RR Auctions web site at

www.rrauction.com or contact

Bobby Livingston at bl@rrauction.com

 

RR Auctions is pleased to announce our first American Patriots auction

RR Auctions is pleased to announce our first American Patriots auction on January 27. This stunning assemblage of letters and relics come straight from the very hands that birthed our nations’ freedom on August 2, 1776, as Hancock, Adams, and Franklin signed the formal copy of the Declaration of Independence. Boasting over 40 of the 56 signers, including three notoriously scarce individuals like George Taylor, Thomas Nelson, Jr., and the most obscure of all, Thomas Lynch, Jr., the American Patriots auction will breathe fresh life into the revolution, once again honoring the congressmen, delegates, generals, and soldiers who laid the foundation for our nation as we know it.

On March 1, 1776, Thomas Lynch, Jr. penned a florid letter on behalf of this father, Thomas Lynch, Sr., a South Carolinian delegate to the First Continental Congress. As a result a cerebral hemorrhage, Lynch’s father was rendered paralyzed; Lynch was forced to take leave of his post in the South Carolina militia, assuming his father’s place as the 52nd declaration signer. Lynch’s overwhelming scarcity was made destiny by an ill-fated sea voyage he and his wife would embark on in 1779, never to be heard from again. His library and estate was scattered, destroyed, and lost, making this unlikely signer the most invaluable, even in comparison to Button Gwinnet; this 1776 handwritten letters represents only one of three known to exist.

Thomas Nelson, Jr., who has been categorized as “very rare” in Kenneth W. Rendell’s, History Comes to Life, provides a lengthy piece of correspondence, brimming with political opinion, penned on February 18, 1775, exactly two months before the British would unleash their fury upon the shores of Massachusetts.

Also falling under Rendell’s “very rare” category is last minute signer, George Taylor. This war-dated letter, written on the 18th of November, 1780, provides a first-hand look at Taylor’s ironwork business, a trade that won him a contract with the Pennsylvania’s Committee of Safety, making him the first ironmaster to provide cannon shot to the Continental Army. This letter is only the second letter known to ever appear in auction, qualifying its insurmountable scarcity.

An exceptionally uncommon letter from Thomas Jefferson to President George Washington dated February 17, 1791, concerning expansion of settlements northwest of the Ohio during the Northwest Indian Wars. Any correspondence between Jefferson and President, especially referencing the very fibers of the nation’s territorial acquisitions, is of the utmost rarity.

Other offerings of paramount rarity include General George Washington’s prized map, outlining the Theater of War northeast of the Delaware River, illustrating the critical victories at Trenton and Princeton from December 26, 1776 through January 3, 1777, remains in remarkably clear condition, as does his September 11, 1799 letter concerning the purchase of materials used for the construction of the nation’s capitol, Federal City. Martha Washington’s uncommon correspondence to her favorite niece, Fannie Bassett, dated October 18, 1794, provides a substantial example of the First Lady’s hand.

And last, but certainly not least, an impeccably-preserved and magnificently scarce set of six silver spoons, crafted by none other than the Midnight Rider himself, have stood the test of time and, after 220 years, remained steadfastly together. One of the most celebrated and sought-after silversmiths of his time, Revere personally crafted this set for the prominent Boston couple, Daniel and Mary Turner Sargent. This original set heralds from the prized collection of noted silversmith and Revere collector, George Gebelein, who first came into possession of the collection in 1938.

This specialized collection, also including an entirely handwritten financial account of New Hampshire delegate, Josiah Bartlett’s, compensation for signing the Declaration; an ironically hopeful letter from John Andre, penned just a month before his execution after being captured as a spy; a riveting letter from Colonel Azor Orne, and many, many more desirable signatures and relics, will be available for bidding January 27. For details, go to rrauction.com.

 

RR Auctions King Henry VIII Letter

A rare 1517 letter to Sir Randolph Brereton, Chamberlain of the County of Palatine of Chester, appointing William Vernon as burgess

---

LS in Old English, boldly signed in the upper left corner, one page, 10 x 8.75, March 17, 1512. Letter to Sir Randolph Brereton, Chamberlain of the County Palatine of Chester, commanding that William Vernon of Middlewich, “reputed of good and honest conversacion,” should be appointed a burgess of the town “for thentertaynyng of good rule and advancement of Justice within the same,” upon payment of the usual fine to the exchequer in Chester. Address on reverse reads, “under our Signet at our Palays of Westminster.”

In very good condition, with several intersecting folds and scattered moderate overall creasing, a few scattered spots of soiling, mild rubbing, an old erased pencil notation, and a few small dings to edges.

Sir Randolph Brereton, a close associate of Norfolk, held a significant position in Henry’s court, serving as the king’s knight of the body and alter knight-banneret, a reward for his conduct at the siege of Terouenne and Tournay given by Henry. His son, William, a Groom of the Privy Chamber and Chamberlain of Chester, was suspected of having an affair with Henry’s second wife, Ann Boleyn, and was beheaded on May 17, 1536.

There were two things Henry feared, the plague and the wrath of God. In 1517, he faced both. That year a plague swept over London and Henry retired to the country to protect his health, leaving Cardinal Wolsey, ill with “sweating sickness,” to run the state. Then while he was away on a hunting trip, the “Evil May” riots erupted in London in which rioters protesting the presence of immigrants temporarily took over the city. Henry sent Norfolk to put down the riots. The king continued to flee from residence to residence as the plague drew closer, and when members of his own court died he went into seclusion with a skeleton staff. He began to believe that God was angry with him for his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, his brother’s widow, because of her inability to have a male heir. As misgivings festered, Ann Boleyn arrived at court in 1522, setting into movement a chain of events that would change the course of the Tudor dynasty and opening the way for the English Reformation. A rare, highly desirable document dating from a time of impending change, and actions that changed the course of English history. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=243

 

RR Auctions is America’s Autograph Auction!

Every month we offer collectors more than 1,250 quality, fully guaranteed signed items, including photos, documents, letters, and books from a variety of categories—just as we have for more than 30 years.

Each autographed item is accompanied by a full 100% lifetime guarantee of authenticity. We proudly employ not only well-respected, in-house experts to examine every item sent to us, but coordinate with third-party authenticators in various fields including Civil War-era notables, classical and contemporary music, historical figures, sports figures, and space explorers to confirm our opinions. Read more about them here.

Every month, all items are beautifully presented in a full-color catalog, with many full-page displays and numerous benefiting from detailed research descriptions. When you are an RRAuction registered bidder, you will also have access to our company’s auction archives.

You may rest assured that every consignment—and every consignor—is treated with ultimate respect. As soon as you ship us your item, that piece is covered by our own insurance, so there’s no need for you to worry about any extra cost. We offer competitive rates and fast consignor pay-offs.

When you’re an RRAuction client, you can always buy and sell with the confidence…a confidence that 30 years of experience and customer satisfaction brings with it. Entrust your autographs to professionals who have built a reputation to deliver consistently remarkable results!

Register to Bid Now or Consign to RRAuction

---