Lincoln Discussion Symposium
John Wilkes Booth's Watch - Printable Version

+- Lincoln Discussion Symposium (https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium)
+-- Forum: Lincoln Discussion Symposium (/forum-1.html)
+--- Forum: Assassination (/forum-5.html)
+--- Thread: John Wilkes Booth's Watch (/thread-319.html)



John Wilkes Booth's Watch - BettyO - 09-06-2012 06:58 PM

I don't know the provenance on this; but it is interesting....

Would love to know the real history - what do you all think? Looks "period" to me. It's obviously NOT a stem winder which, although they existed, would make the watch somewhat suspect

Here is the URL of the website: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/john-wilkes-booth-pocket-watch.75851/

[Image: supposedjwbwatchsm.jpg]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[Image: supposedjwbwatch03sm.jpg]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us



RE: John Wilkes Booth's Watch - J. Beckert - 09-06-2012 07:21 PM

I've always wondered what happened to Booth's watch, Betty. Thanks for posting that.

Mr. Kauffman's new book "In the Footsteps of an Assassin" has a photo of a watch chain Booth once owned. It's clearly not the heavy, ornate one he was photographed wearing so many times, but still neat to see. If anyone else has that book, did you notice the modern photo of the Mudd bed Booth slept in doesn't match either of the ones in the period photo?

Was there an article accompanying these photos, Betty? I'd like to know the provenance on this.

It's definitely of the period and I've never seen one with the two smaller recessed dials on the face like this one. I'd imagine it was an expensive piece in it's day.


RE: John Wilkes Booth's Watch - BettyO - 09-06-2012 07:37 PM

Hey, Joe!

Unfortunately there was no provenance on this item. I'd LOVE to know the history behind it.


RE: John Wilkes Booth's Watch - J. Beckert - 09-06-2012 07:42 PM

Can you contact the poster and ask for some background on this? I'm very interested in this piece.


RE: John Wilkes Booth's Watch - BettyO - 09-06-2012 07:45 PM

(09-06-2012 07:42 PM)J. Beckert Wrote:  Can you contact the poster and ask for some background on this? I'm very interested in this piece.

Sure, Joe! I think you have to belong to that forum -- but I can check....


RE: John Wilkes Booth's Watch - BettyO - 09-07-2012 05:30 AM

I have contacted the "powers that be" regarding the watch and they have promised to get back with me shortly. I'll alert everyone as to just what this could possibly be..... hang tight!


RE: John Wilkes Booth's Watch - RJNorton - 09-07-2012 06:20 AM

(09-06-2012 07:21 PM)J. Beckert Wrote:  If anyone else has that book, did you notice the modern photo of the Mudd bed Booth slept in doesn't match either of the ones in the period photo?

Joe, are you referring to slight differences in the headboard and baseboard? I was comparing the photo in Kauffman's new book to the photo in Hal Higdon's book. If that is what you are talking about, then I think I see what you mean.


RE: John Wilkes Booth's Watch - J. Beckert - 09-08-2012 08:53 AM

Sorry, Roger, I missed the question. Yes - that's what I meant. The new photo doesn't match either bed in the old photo.