H. Polkinhorn & Sons, 1865

(LINCOLN, Abraham. 1809-1865 — ASSASSINATION). Ford's Theatre...Friday Evening, April 14th, 1865. Benefit! And Last Night of Miss Laura Keene...Tom Taylor's Celebrated Eccentric Comedy...Our American Cousin…. Washington: H. Polkinhorn & Sons, [ca. 15 April 1865].

The first contemporary souvenir issue of the famous Ford's Theatre playbill from the night of Abraham Lincoln's assassination. The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre and the attack wounding of Secretary of State William Seward at his home on the evening of 14 April 1865 shocked a nation then just celebrating the surrender of Robert E. Lee at Appomattox less than a week earlier. The playbill for that evening, which featured a performance of the popular English play, Our American Cousin, was printed in two distinct issues, became an instant collector's item—so much so, that the supply of originals ran out quickly. To meet the continuing demand, John E. Buckingham, the doorkeeper at Ford's Theatre, contracted printer Henry Polkinhorn, to reset the type to print a run to be sold as souvenirs. Although there are numerous variations from the original issues printed on 14 April 1865, this facsimile was printed to resemble the first and is commonly known as the "Buckingham copy." For additional information see, Walter C. Brenner, The Ford Theatre Lincoln Assassination Playbills. Philadelphia, 1937.

Broadside. 470 x 148mm (horizontal fold separation reinforced on verso, small loss at bottom margin affecting printer’s slug).