Printed newspaper in three columns, headed "The National Calamity" announcing the assassination of Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theater. Bifolium; 16 1/4 x 11 in. (412 x 279 mm). Extremities lightly worn; scattered toning; closed tear to top right of first page.

LINCOLN'S HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER ANNOUNCES HIS ASSASSINATION. "The National Calamity...Andrew Johnson Sworn in as President...General Grant On His Way To Washington...Attempt to Assassinate Secy. Stanton...Pursuit of the Murderers--The Whole Country Aroused...Secretary Seward Still Living..."

A War Department Circular reproduced here warns, "It is believed that the assassins of the President and Secretary Seward are attempting to escape to Canada. You will make a careful and thorough examination of all persons attempting to cross from the United States into Canada, and will arrest all suspicious persons..." In reality, John Wilkes Booth was fleeing through the woods of southern Maryland into rural Virginia. Federal agents finally caught up with him at a tobacco farm on April 26, where he was shot dead while resisting arrest.

Provenance:

Louise Taper, Beverly Hills, California