The Rock & Roll Americana Auction

Lot #879:

Edwin Booth Letter (ALS) To Artist Oliver Lay (Booth Portrait as Hamlet) JSA

Edwin Booth Letter (ALS) To Artist Oliver Lay (Booth Portrait as Hamlet) JSA

An historically significant handwritten signed letter (ALS) from actor Edwin Booth 1833-1893 (brother of Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth) dated Feb 24 written to artist Oliver Ingraham Lay. Booth writes “…can I set a day to visit you. My man tells me that there is an old “Hamlet” costume somewhere among my cast off ‘duds’ and as soon as he can get at it he will bring it to you…” Signed “Truly Yours, Edwin Booth.” Lay’s painted portrait of Booth depicting the actor in his most acclaimed role as Hamlet resides in the National Portrait Gallery. At the time of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination (April 14, 1865) by the hand of his brother John Wilkes Booth, Edwin was considered one of the finest actors on the American stage, and the greatest performer of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. After Lincoln’s assassination, Edwin withdrew from the stage until the following year. This historical letter from Booth to Lay provides rare insight into the working relationship between Booth and the portrait master whose most renowned painting is Booth as Hamlet.

Dimensions: 5 X 7.75.

Condition: Very Good.

Authentication:l James Spence Authentication (JSA) Letter of Authenticity and a Gotta Have Rock and Roll Certificate of Authenticity.