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Lincoln: John Wilkes Booth Autographed CDV - RARE AUTOGRAPH!! [182318]

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Political Memorabilia Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Lincoln: John Wilkes Booth Autographed CDV - RARE AUTOGRAPH!!  [182318]
UNCLAIMED MERCHANDISE: In the event that a successful bidder has paid in full for their merchandise but fails to settle outstanding shipping invoices or make arrangements for merchandise pickup within 60 days, HWAC reserves the right to declare the merchandise forfeited. This forfeiture will result in the merchandise becoming the property of HWAC and the successful bidder shall have no claim to or rights over the forfeited merchandise.
Very Rare John Wilkes Booth Autographed, Original carte de visite (2 1/2 x 4 inches) photograph signed and inscribed circa 1859 on reverse: "J. Wilkes Booth to James W. McDerman." From 1859 to 1866 James W. McDerman was the manager of the Merchant Hotel in Baltimore, a hotel that catered to actors. Photo was in the family of Mr. McDerman since the Civil War and offered for sale in 2003. Surface crease to image, worn along edges, Booth's signature clear. John Wilkes Booth (1838-1865) made his stage debut in Baltimore as a young man. In 1859 he was a member of the Virginia militia, under the command of Robert E. Lee, who seized John Brown at Harpers Ferry. During the third act of "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theatre, April 15th, 1865, Booth entered the Presidential Box and shot Lincoln in the head; he leaped onto the stage (breaking his leg in the process) and escaped to Virginia. Refusing to surrender, he was shot April 26. Booth's signature is extremely rare, as most were destroyed.