Description:

(LINCOLN ASSASSINATION) JOHN T. FORD
(1829 -1894) American theater owner in whose theater Abraham Lincoln was mortally wounded by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1864. As a result of the notoriety of the crime, Ford's career was nearly ruined. Scarce A.L.S. 2pp. 4to., Baltimore, June 12, 1859 to his theater colleague ‘John', vetting actors, planning for future plays, and other theatre-related matters. In part: ‘…This day a week ago I wrote to you to secure Miss Sherritt, in the package of applications I also sent you, it must have been overlooked. I am extremely desirous to have her next season on the best terms we can make, but get her on her own terms if you cannot do better…I enclose Studley's letter, make out his articles, from what I hear of Hill. Studley will be [as] important as H, he is a gem of a man but some say not so great as we have rated him…Chippendale is really good…I received the books yesterday and was pleased with them. I cursory [sic] glanced over them and laid aside the following that I wish you to examine and if you approve of them cast the dramas for our Saturday night [illegible] viz The Lonely Man…The Pirates Legacy…King of the Mist, Aunt Charlotte's Maid My Aunt's Husband The Last of the Pigtails The Old House at Home…I wish you would look over all of these and those you think good make prompt books and cut down the dialogue as much as you can without injury. Get Robson and [?] in as many as possible. I will remit the amount of Spencer's bill through you. I want some little spectacular play to act as an hour or an hour and a half and run a week for Christmas, something that can be gotten by Getz in a week. See if you can think of any…'. In 1854, Ford became the manager of the Holliday Street Theatre in Baltimore, a position he held for 25 years. In 1871, he built the Grand Opera House in Baltimore and three theaters in Washington. His first theater on 10th Street burned down and was replaced by the theater known as Ford's. Worthy of further research with Ford's mention of numerous actors and plays of the day! A chip at lower right edge costs one word of text, a few other chips and tears at margins, else boldly penned and very good.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. We will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

March 27, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000