[Lincoln, Abraham] John Wilkes Booth's Earliest Known Signature (1838-65) Successful actor from a famous acting family; Confederate spy and assassin of President Abraham Lincoln. Book Signed and dated, "John Wilkes Booth. Sept 1848" on the inside front cover, being Booth's personal copy of
The History of Peter the Great, Emperor of Russia. From the French of Voltaire. By Smollett. Vol I. (New York: Leavitt, Trow & Co., 1847), 16mo. Original green-and-black blindstamped cloth with gilt title and decorations on spine. A ticket from the Cheap A.P. Burt's Cheap Book Store in Baltimore is affixed to the upper left corner of the inside cover. The page also contains remnants of three wax and paper seals, not affecting the signature or date. Moderate toning and foxing; some wear to spine ends and corners are bumped, but a sound, tight copy.
Booth's early schooling was at the Bel Air Academy in Harford County, Maryland, where he was an indifferent student. This book, signed when Booth was ten years old, was likely from his father's library. At some point, the book came into the hands of a Mrs. Sasse, a friend of Booth's mother, Mary Ann, and it descended through her family.
Estimated Value $12,000 - 15,000.
U.S. Presidents and First Ladies
