My American Cousin
Who wants theatre tickets to a show that closed in 1865? At a recent auction, an anonymous buyer made a remarkable acquisition by securing a pair of tickets for the April 14, 1865 performance of ‘My American Cousin’ at Ford’s Theatre – an event forever etched in American history due to the tragic assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
During that ill-fated performance, President Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, occupied the presidential box, completely unaware that they were moments away from becoming central figures in a defining historical moment. It was during the play’s third act that John Wilkes Booth, a celebrated actor with previous appearances on the same stage, dramatically entered the scene. His entry into the president’s box irrevocably altered the course of history.
Despite the passage of time, these tickets to Ford’s Theater’s dress circle remain surprisingly well-preserved, bearing the creases and folds of their journey through history. They serve as tangible connections to that fateful and somber night, allowing us to reach back through the years and touch the past.
The tickets sold for just 75 cents back in 1865. In 1992, these tickets were purchased at an auction by Steve Forbes. He had inherited the historical manuscript collection of his father, Malcolm S. Forbes, a discerning collector with a deep appreciation for historical memorabilia. Recognizing their historical significance, Forbes chose to part with them in 2002, consigning them to Christie’s New York. The result was nothing short of astonishing, as the tickets commanded a remarkable $71.5K (or $83.7K w/p), greatly exceeding the initial valuation range of $10,000 to $15,000.
In a fascinating turn of events, these very same tickets reemerged on the auction scene, once again making history by surpassing their estimated value. This time around, the estimate was in excess of $100K. But when the show came to an end, they sold for more than double, garnering $210K ($262.5K w/p). Their journey through time, changing hands between collectors, underscores not only their rarity but also the enduring fascination that people have with preserving and commemorating moments of profound historical importance.