The Collected Library, Including Americana and Early Photography

Lot comprised of 29 items, including photographs, autographs, and broadsides identified to the Booth family, the prominent 19th-century theatrical family which became infamous due to John Wilkes Booth's assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Condition varies from good to very good. Images show some toning, occasional soiling, and edge and corner wear to mounts. Autographs and imprints with overall good with occasional edge and corner wear, some with short tears or fold lines.

Contents include: 5 CDVs of John Wilkes Booth taken during various sittings, most uncredited with the exception of a carte with verso imprint of Thorne, New York. -- 3 cabinet cards of Junius Brutus Booth, actor and father to John Wilkes Booth, credited to Sarony (New York), Mullen (Lexington, KY), and one with imprint that reads, "Purchased from Charles L. Ritzmann, 'Celebrities'" (New York). -- 5 cabinet cards of Edwin Booth, actor and brother to John Wilkes Booth, credited to Gurney (New York), Sarony (New York), Falk (New York), and Notman (Boston). -- One (1) cabinet card of Junius Brutus Booth III, son to Junius Brutus Booth II, credited to Falk (New York). -- 2 cabinet cards of Lawrence Barrett, actor and frequent collaborator on the stage with Edwin Booth, credited to Gurney & Son (New York) (chip to top edge of mount) and the Heliotype Printing Company (Boston). --,4 postcards, incl. real photo postcards showing the Booth family home near Bel Air, Maryland.

[With:] 3 autographs, including: BOOTH, Edwin. Album page signed "Edwin Booth, 1890." 4 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. page removed from album purportedly belonging to the daughter of John T. Ford, owner of Ford's Theatre (as per consignor's notes). -- BOOTH, Agnes, wife of Junius Brutus Booth II. First, album page inscribed and signed, "Agnes Booth." 4 3/4 x 7 1/2 in. page removed from album. Second, a clipped signature inscribed and signed "Agnes Booth." 3 x 4 in.

[With:] 6 handbills, broadsides, and programs promoting the performances of Edwin Booth or Junius Brutus Booth II, ranging in size from 6 x 4 in. to 13 x 4 3/4 in. Examples include: Howard Athenaeum...presents Richelieu. Feat. Edwin Booth. Boston: Boston Mammoth Steam Job Printing Est., [1859]. -- The Player, Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia. Feat. Benefit of Edwin Booth. Philadelphia: Ledger Job Print., n.d. -- Fourteenth Street Theatre...The Fool's Revenge. Feat. Edwin Booth. Philadelphia, n.d. Advertisement on verso. -- Boston Theatre...Hamlet. Feat. Edwin Booth. Boston: Farwell Printing Office, [1865]. Purportedly, this engagement was cut short in April following John Wilkes Booth's assassination of Lincoln. -- Booth's Theatre...Hamlet. Presented by Edwin Booth. February 1878. -- Chestnut Street Opera House...Galley Slave. List of actors includes Junius Brutus Booth II. Philadelphia: Merrihew & Son, n.d.