Lincoln’s Legacy: Historic Americana from the Life of Abraham Lincoln

Partially printed ticket stub for Orchestra section C, seat #127, with circular dated stamp showing partially obscured stamp date of Ap[ril] 1[4] 18[65]. Approximately 2.5 x 3 in. (64 x 76 mm); creasing from old folds; wear along extremities; foxing and soiling.

"DON'T KNOW THE MANNERS OF GOOD SOCIETY, EH?"

Our American Cousin was a three-act play by British playwright Tom Taylor. It premiered in New York City on 15 October 1858 with Laura Keene, Joseph Jefferson, and Edward Askew Sothern in the roles of Florence Trenchard, Asa Trenchard, and Lord Dundreary, respectively. Sothern's performance as the buffoonish Lord Dundreary earned particular praise from critics and audiences alike, ironic because Sothern was initially reluctant to play the part as he felt it was too small and unimportant. His ad-libs and facial expressions helped to make the play a success, and its first run lasted an impressive 150 nights. He followed the role on tour, and over the next few years, the role of Lord Dundreary became one of his most beloved.

The playbills for the 14 April 1865 benefit performance of Our American Cousin were printed by Henry Polkinhorn that morning. Around midday a White House messenger informed theater management that the President and First Lady along with General Ulysses S. Grant and his wife Julia would be in attendance. A "patriotic song and chorus" performance of "Honor to Our Soldiers" was added to the night's events, so Polkinhorn printed off a second, larger batch of programs, reflecting the change.

Shortly after management was informed of the President's attendance, John Wilkes Booth--one of the most famous actors in America--arrived at the theater to pick up his mail. In conversation with theater-owner John T. Ford's brother, Harry, Booth learned that President Lincoln would be in attendance that night (Grant decided not to attend, as his wife Julia and Mary Lincoln did not get along). Booth rushed out of the theater and began to make getaway arrangements and assign roles to his co-conspirators. Lewis Powell was tasked with killing Secretary of State Seward, while David Herold and George Atzerodt were tasked to murder Vice President Andrew Johnson. Booth also met with Mary Surratt that morning, and gave her a package which she delivered to her family tavern in Surrattsville, where Booth and Herold would eventually rendezvous following the assassination.

[With:] Printed playbill for the performance of Our American Cousin on 14 April 1865. 19 x 6 3/4 in. (483 x 171 mm). Minor losses along extremities; some soiling and spotting.

With the addition of "Honor To Our Soldiers" to that night's events, the printing of the playbill was halted, and the standing type was partially reset to provide space to announce this change. Copies carrying the song announcement constitute the second issue, as seen here. On the fateful night, copies of both versions are known to have been in circulation among the audience. Numerous later reprints are distinguishable, some with a spurious insertion announcing the attendance of Mr. & Mrs. Lincoln. For additional details, see Walter C. Brenner, The Ford Theatre Lincoln Assassination Playbills (Philadelphia , 1937) and the Library of Congress Information Bulletin, 6 November 1981.

Provenance:

Louise Taper, Beverly Hills, California

Exhibition:

The Last Best Hope of Earth: Abraham Lincoln and the Promise of America, at the Huntington Library, October 1993-August 1994