Lot 156
Booth, John Wilkes (1838-1865), American stage actor who assassinated Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. on April 14, 1865. Autograph Letter Signed "J. Wilkes, Booth", three pages, 5¼ x 7¾ Cincinnati, Ohio, November 23, 1861. To J. H. Simonds at Merchants Bank, Boston, in part:
"Dear Joe, I know you will forgive me, this long delay in answering your letters; if you know me 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, I played 17 nights in Detroit to a good Res[ul]t -. Open 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, I should have said has been; as she finished last night…It seems that Forrest is always in trouble, I am sorry his back 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 [sic] is life. Give my kindest regards to the Rugbles…I am your true friend, J. Wilkes, Booth"
Boldly penned with strong signature by Booth, minor ink blotting, else Very Fine. Includes mailing envelope in Booth's hand postmarked "Cincinnati Nov 24".
Estimate 30,000 - 40,000
Simonds held a cashier position at the bank at the time he and Booth presumably first met in Boston when Booth was visiting his brother Edwin. Later the two developed a business relationship, with Simonds managing Booth's oil investments. Apparently Simonds had no idea about Booth's plot against Lincoln; in fact, in early 1865 he even castigated Booth for not paying more attention to his acting and business affairs. Forrest refers to Edwin Forrest, an accomplished American actor who was one of the principal belligerents in the Astor Place Riot of 1849. Forrest made a comeback to the stage in 1860.
Of philatelic interest is the fact that the stamp used to frank the mailing envelope is the very scarce 3¢ pink of 1861 (Scott 64).
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