Washington Picture

[Ed Steers]

                On numerous occasions I have heard about the "damaged" portrait of Washington that Harry Ford hung on the column between the box openings. The upper right corner is missing part of the frame. The explanation given is that Booth clipped the frame while vaulting from the box. In examing the photographs taken by Brady on Stanton's order shortly after the assassination the frame looks undamaged. My tongue in cheek explanation is that a custodian accidenatally dropped the picture breaking the frame. When asked what happened, the custodian said "Booth did it." I attach two different views for you to examine for yourselves.