The Rock & Roll Pop Culture Auction Spring 2023

Lot #821:

1888 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 Dec 26, 1888 to artist Oliver Ingraham Lay in regards Lay’s most famous painting of Booth as Hamlet (1887) (now residing in the National Portrait Gallery. Booth writes “ I have heard that some of my friends among the :”Players” desire to compliment me by placing a portrait of myself (in character) on the wall of the club reading room, as a surprise for me on the ‘opening’ night, and that your Hamlet has been suggested for that purpose.” The three page letter is signed “Very truly yours, Edwin Booth.” 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. 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. 5.25 X 8.25. Very good condition. Comes with a James Spence Authentication (JSA) Letter of Authenticity and a Gotta Have Rock & Roll Certificate of Authenticity.