File talk:Fords Theatre Playbill 1865-04-14.png

Do we have any source on this being original?

The curator of the Lincoln museum replied to this post on Facebook suggests that the original playbill (rather than reproductions that were almost immediately available) mentions a reproduction that references the price of seats and that Lincoln would be attending and other odds and ends "some of which" did not appear on the original. Though he also says that the name "Boucicault" is misspelled "Bourcicault" on the original and SOME reproductions correct this. The one in the image still has the typo. It does make sense that a playbill (assuming like today, was something you got when you were at the play) would have no good reason to advertise ticket prices since you'd already bought tickets). He also notes that "Walter C. Brenner, 'The Ford [sic] Theatre Lincoln Assassination Playbills' (1937) is 20 pp., and still more or less the best authority on all the points of the original, and the early reprints. It was reprinted in the 1980s. It has many illustrations."

Do we have any source that this is an actual copy of an original? As it seems like it might be a replica (albiet it could be one from shortly after the assassination).

For what it's worth, the Library of Congress seems to have several of these: One the same or similar to the one in this image here, which is notes: "Not 'Brown', two identical copies erroneously marked: 'Brown reproduction original.'" and "A copy of the version with statement 'This evening the performance will be honored by the presence of President Lincoln.' Probably not printed by Polkinhorn, Cf. Benjamin. Autographs, 1963. P. 136. ".

Here's a link to a search for the play that brings up several versions TheHYPO (talk) 18:03, 13 January 2019 (UTC)