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John Wilkes Booth appears at Ford's Theater... The date Lincoln attended the performance!



Item # 700566

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November 09, 1863

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 9, 1863 

* Abraham Lincoln attends Ford's Theatre (day of)
* Actor John Wilkes Booth performs


A terrific issue with one of the more ironic twists of history, and only to be found in a newspaper from Washington, D.C.
Near the top of the front page is a great article headed: "Ford's New Theatre" which includes in part: "...announced for performance to-night, with J. Wilkes Booth as Raphael...In his personification of the romantic young sculptor, Mr. Booth concentrates many of his best qualities as an artist. The part is exceedingly picturesque & engaging, but Mr. Booth, by his earnestness, his vigorous grasp of genius, & his fervor of style, invests it with an interest beyond the author's ideal & claims in the result the most brilliant honors of his art..." with more on Booth. 
As if this was not sufficient, page 3 has an advertisement headed: "FORD'S NEW THEATRE" which has two mentions of the name J. Wilkes Booth (see).
Booth appeared on the stage at Ford's Theatre for two weeks from Nov. 2-15, 1863. Abraham Lincoln attended this very performance advertised here, on November 9 ! Booth would only appear one more time at Ford's Theatre, that being a single performance on March 18, 1865, less than a month before the fateful event of April 14, 1865.
Page 2 has: "Consecration Of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg" which Lincoln would give his famous address in just 9 days.
Four pages, folio size, very nice condition.

Category: Yankee