Details
[FORD'S THEATRE, WASHINGTON, D.C.]. FORD, JOHN T. Partly printed document signed ("Jno. T. Ford") as Manager, accomplished in manuscript, Washington, D.C., 5 August 1863. 1 page, oblong 235 x 360 mm. (9 x 14 in.), scattered, virtually invisible pinholes to the thin paper stock, otherwise in good condition.
A RARE STOCK CERTIFICATE FOR FORD'S THEATRE. An elaborate pictorial certificate, printed in black and pale green, featuring a vignette of the building's facade with banner "Erected 1863," and a list of "Original Subscribers" comprising 14 names. At the top, in decorative letters, is the legend "Ford's Theatre, Washington, D.C.," proclaiming it to be "a first class structure possessing all the acoustic and optical advantages of an academy of music," imprint of the Baltimore lithographers Schroeder & Sanders at bottom left. This certificate, not numbered, for $500.00, was issued to J. P. Bartholin; the italic text states that Bartholin is thereby "entitled to free admission to all dramatic performances given in said Theatre until payment of said debt and interest." The verso carries an additional handwritten note signed by Bartholin: "This certificate of stock is held as collateral security for Jno T Ford's note of date August 5th 1863 at 2 years for $500." Evidently of great rarity; we have not been able to locate another example.
John Thompson Ford (1829-1894) owned theaters in Baltimore, Washington and Richmond, Virginia. The Ford's new Washington theater, on 10th Street between E and F streets, where Lincoln was assassinated, was erected in 1863 on the site of a Baptist church which Ford had previously converted into a theater. In order to raise money for the construction of the grand three-story structure, which could seat some 2,500 theater-goers, Ford issued an unknown number of stock certificates like the present.
A RARE STOCK CERTIFICATE FOR FORD'S THEATRE. An elaborate pictorial certificate, printed in black and pale green, featuring a vignette of the building's facade with banner "Erected 1863," and a list of "Original Subscribers" comprising 14 names. At the top, in decorative letters, is the legend "Ford's Theatre, Washington, D.C.," proclaiming it to be "a first class structure possessing all the acoustic and optical advantages of an academy of music," imprint of the Baltimore lithographers Schroeder & Sanders at bottom left. This certificate, not numbered, for $500.00, was issued to J. P. Bartholin; the italic text states that Bartholin is thereby "entitled to free admission to all dramatic performances given in said Theatre until payment of said debt and interest." The verso carries an additional handwritten note signed by Bartholin: "This certificate of stock is held as collateral security for Jno T Ford's note of date August 5th 1863 at 2 years for $500." Evidently of great rarity; we have not been able to locate another example.
John Thompson Ford (1829-1894) owned theaters in Baltimore, Washington and Richmond, Virginia. The Ford's new Washington theater, on 10th Street between E and F streets, where Lincoln was assassinated, was erected in 1863 on the site of a Baptist church which Ford had previously converted into a theater. In order to raise money for the construction of the grand three-story structure, which could seat some 2,500 theater-goers, Ford issued an unknown number of stock certificates like the present.