FORD'S THEATER BROADSIDE FOR "OUR AMERICAN COUSIN, DATED APRIL 14, 1865.19th century. Printer not identified. An authentic period piece. 18 1/2" x 5 1/2", sight size as framed. Original mid-19th century painted frame with gilt fillet and square-head nails.
Provenance: through family descent to present owner from her grandfather, the late Albert Dale Terry, Sr., Ottawa, Illinois, a prominent collector most acclaimed for his rare collection of Colt firearms.
Note: compare this broadside to that of the preceding lot, which bears the name of the printer, L. Brown. The text is identical, the font at variance. Historically, it is believed, that once President Lincoln's decision to attend "Our American Cousin" became known (on the morning of the performance), Ford's Theater attempted to have the printer of the original broadside, Polkenborn, print a second run bearing notice of Lincoln's forthcoming appearance. However, as Polkenborn was unable to carry out the task upon such short notice, allegedly, a second printer was engaged. It is possible that this broadside was produced by this alleged second printer.
Cf.: an original Ford's Theater broadside printed on April 14, 1865, for the performance of "Our American Cousin", lacking mention of President Lincoln's appearance, is retained in the collection of the Library of Congress. Estimate $5,000-10,000
