Title:
John Wilkes Booth Personally Owned 1862 “Robbers” Theatrical Scenery List – Ink Manuscript with Pencil Notation in Booth’s Hand – With Handwriting Study

Description:
Offered here is a rare 1862 theatrical scenery list for the play “Robbers,” a document personally owned by John Wilkes Booth. The manuscript consists of a detailed, multi-act stage production breakdown and is primarily written in ink by an unidentified hand. It outlines scenic elements and stage directions for all four acts, including settings such as “Gothic Kitchens,” “Eily’s Cottage,” “Mountain Torrent,” and “Lehr’s Wood,” along with notes on props, scene changes, and staging mechanics.

At the upper left corner appears the inscription “J. W. Booth 1862,” written in an unknown hand, identifying the document’s association and date. Importantly, a distinct section of the document—executed in pencil—is believed to be in the hand of John Wilkes Booth. This pencil notation differs clearly from the primary ink text in both medium and style, indicating it was added separately, likely as a working annotation during theatrical use.

The document is written on period lined paper and remains in good condition for its age, exhibiting expected toning, fold lines, and light staining. The reverse shows visible bleed-through from the ink text. The contrast between the ink manuscript and the pencil addition enhances the document’s layered historical character.

A detailed handwriting study accompanies the piece, focusing specifically on the pencil notation and comparing it to known examples of Booth’s handwriting.

Historical Context:
John Wilkes Booth (1838–1865) was a prominent American stage actor in the mid-19th century, widely recognized for his performances prior to his assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. In 1862, Booth was actively engaged in theatrical productions, frequently working with complex stage arrangements requiring detailed scenic planning.

“The Robbers,” by Friedrich Schiller, was a popular dramatic work during this period, known for its elaborate staging and intense narrative. Documents such as this scenery list provide valuable insight into the operational side of 19th-century theater production.

This manuscript represents a tangible connection to Booth’s professional life, with the believed pencil notation offering evidence of his direct interaction with the document during a working theatrical context.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
This item is a theatrical scenery list personally owned by John Wilkes Booth, with a pencil notation believed to be in his hand. A detailed handwriting study is included, supporting this attribution.

John Reznikoff, a recognized expert in historical autographs, has reviewed the study and agrees with our conclusions. At the buyer’s request, we will include both our company certificate and an additional certificate signed by John Reznikoff affirming his agreement after being presented with the study.

It should be noted that this is a challenging piece to authenticate definitively. Known examples of Booth’s handwriting are limited, and the attribution applies specifically to the pencil notation—not the entirety of the document, which is in another hand. Additionally, the use of pencil further complicates authentication. While we stand by our conclusions and believe the study supports the attribution, leading third-party authentication services may not have sufficient comparative material to render a definitive opinion.

With that said, we are selling this incredibly unique piece as a personally owned John Wilkes Booth scenery list and the handwriting should be considered as a bonus!

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
This exceptional manuscript offers a rare opportunity to acquire a personally owned theatrical artifact tied to John Wilkes Booth’s career as an actor. With its detailed stage content, believed autograph notation, and supporting expert analysis, it stands as a unique and historically compelling piece suited for advanced collectors seeking depth and authenticity in Civil War-era material.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.