The Fathers and Saviors of Our Country: A Presidential Sale

7pp. on 5 leaves, various sizes, manuscripts in multiple unknown hands with select annotations and amendments, presumably in the hand of John Wilkes Booth, scattered discolorations, and folds.

Comprising:

1) Scenery list for Richard III, all five acts, dated 1862, with Booth's name and date written in the upper left corner in an unknown hand and 2 very minor amendments, presumably in Booth's hand.

2) Scenery list for The Robbers, all four acts, dated 1862, with Booth's name and date written in the upper left corner in an unknown hand.

3) Partial scenery list for Macbeth, Act V, dated 26 January 1863, with Booth's name and date in unknown hand and amended list on verso in pencil, presumably in Booth's hand.

4) Scenery list for Macbeth, all five acts, undated, in an unknown hand with 2 minor amendments, presumably in Booth's hand.

5) Scenery list for Damon and Pythias, dated May 1864, with Booth's name and date written in the upper right corner in an unknown hand, with partial scenery list and drawing of stage on verso, presumably in Booth's hand.

The stage career of John Wilkes Booth lasted less than eight years yet in that time Booth performed in dozens of roles, with his Richard III considered to be his best and his performances in The Robbers, Macbeth, and The Marble Heart among his most popular with theatre-going audiences. As a highly-paid and beloved performer, Booth often took a hands-on role in the organization of set pieces, usually in order to provide him a better opportunity to show off his athletic performance style. Many of the amendments made to the scenery lists in the present lot were presumably done in Booth's own hand.