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Gene C · 09-25-2016, 12:49 PM

Very good Michelle, it does look like the same style coat.

HistoryFan · (This post was last modified: 05-23-2017 07:33 PM by HistoryFan.)

It's been a long time since I last posted here. I've not yet had a chance to visit the town of Tamaqua due to other commitments, but I'm definitely planning a trip there this summer ... probably in June. I'll share my findings after that research trip.

I just came back from a wonderful John Wilkes Booth Assassination and Escape Tour with the Boston Civil War Roundtable group (we live in Gettysburg, not Boston, but are friends with many of the Boston members, so occasionally accompany them on their bus tours) led by Kate Ramirez, who was absolutely amazing and highly recommended!!!!

Anyway, during that tour, I found an obscure out-of-print book title at the Surratt House gift store titled John Wilkes Booth in the Pennsylvania Oil Region by Ernest C. Miller, published by the Crawford County Historical Society of Meadville, Pa.

According to that author, John Wilkes Booth's best friend in Franklin County, Pa. during his oil exploits was Alfred A. Smiley, an oil and pipeline operator. Apparently, they roomed together in the old U.S. Hotel and afterward lodged together at Mrs. Webber's home.

There is a photo in the book showing Alfred Smiley as he appeared in 1866 owned by the Drake Well Museum in Titusville, Pa.

I almost laughed when I saw it! Notice the hats worn by the men ... and compare those hats to the one worn by the man in my mystery photo.

Oops, I guess I forgot how to add an attachment on this forum. I'll try again.

Can't figure out how to get the photo to appear in my post, but you can click on the attachment and see it.

L Verge · 05-24-2017, 08:23 AM

I wish I had known you were with that group. I was in my office right across the hall from the gift shop the whole time and was the one who reduced the price of the book since it had some damage. I would have liked to meet you.

HistoryFan · 05-24-2017, 08:48 AM

(05-24-2017 08:23 AM)L Verge Wrote: I wish I had known you were with that group. I was in my office right across the hall from the gift shop the whole time and was the one who reduced the price of the book since it had some damage. I would have liked to meet you.

Hi ... is your name Laurie? I would have loved to have met you, too, but at the time I purchased the book, the bus was waiting to leave and I was being told to hurry so as not to hold up the bus. Thanks for reducing the price of the book due to its damaged spine ... I was really fortunate to have found it (the lone copy of a not-well-known title) in your gift shop!

KateH. · 05-25-2017, 01:15 PM

(05-23-2017 07:20 PM)HistoryFan Wrote: It's been a long time since I last posted here. I've not yet had a chance to visit the town of Tamaqua due to other commitments, but I'm definitely planning a trip there this summer ... probably in June. I'll share my findings after that research trip.

I just came back from a wonderful John Wilkes Booth Assassination and Escape Tour with the Boston Civil War Roundtable group (we live in Gettysburg, not Boston, but are friends with many of the Boston members, so occasionally accompany them on their bus tours) led by Kate Ramirez, who was absolutely amazing and highly recommended!!!!

Anyway, during that tour, I found an obscure out-of-print book title at the Surratt House gift store titled John Wilkes Booth in the Pennsylvania Oil Region by Ernest C. Miller, published by the Crawford County Historical Society of Meadville, Pa.

According to that author, John Wilkes Booth's best friend in Franklin County, Pa. during his oil exploits was Alfred A. Smiley, an oil and pipeline operator. Apparently, they roomed together in the old U.S. Hotel and afterward lodged together at Mrs. Webber's home.

There is a photo in the book showing Alfred Smiley as he appeared in 1866 owned by the Drake Well Museum in Titusville, Pa.

I almost laughed when I saw it! Notice the hats worn by the men ... and compare those hats to the one worn by the man in my mystery photo.

Oops, I guess I forgot how to add an attachment on this forum. I'll try again.

Can't figure out how to get the photo to appear in my post, but you can click on the attachment and see it.

Hi, Michele. Thank you for the kind words Smile

Awesome book find. The Surratt House shop has some great literature.

HistoryFan · 05-27-2017, 08:16 PM

Kate, it was wonderful to meet you! Everyone from the Boston Civil War Roundtable was very impressed with your knowledge and expertise.

I think I just figured out how to add my previous link to appear as a photo in a post. Here goes:

[Image: attachment.php?aid=2613]

Barry Smith · (This post was last modified: 03-16-2019 03:36 PM by Barry Smith.)

Hi , I have a period correct CDV of Booth , with my family provenance .
I had hoped the signature on the front was his but no , it appears to be written by my Great Grandfather , complete with misspelling the name.
There is a correct 1862-1871 stamp on the back.
My question is , now that I know the signature is not correct , what is it worth as a photo ? Is it rare at all ?
Thanks

This is the stamp on the back.

Susan Higginbotham · 03-16-2019, 06:34 PM

I checked eBay "sold" listings (that is, items that actually sold) and found a CDV with the same pose that sold for $99 a couple of weeks ago. Yours has revenue stamps, which might add a little value, but on the other hand theirs has the photography studio (Fredricks) listed.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R4...Complete=1

Steve · (This post was last modified: 03-16-2019 07:00 PM by Steve.)

Barry, there are apparently two slightly different versions of this CDV and some maven has actually made an animated stereoscopic image from the CDVs to make it look like Booth is moving his head:

http://chubachus.blogspot.com/2014/10/an...hs-of.html

A warning in that I personally found the moving image annoying to look at for some reason. But it's really interesting and hopefully those of you out there won't have the same problem looking at it that I did.

wpbinzel · 05-01-2019, 04:25 PM

Heritage Auctions has listed: "John Wilkes Booth: Possibly Unique, Unpublished Carte-de-Visite." It is an image that certainly looks like Booth, but I do not recall seeing it before. I will email it to Roger and ask if he will post it. They are looking for an opening bid of $750 ($937.50 with buyers premium)

The link to the Heritage Auction website is: https://historical.ha.com/itm/photograph...ail-112917

LincolnMan · 05-01-2019, 08:25 PM

Sure does look like the real deal.

Steve · 05-03-2019, 03:24 AM

Here's another copy of the Booth CDV:

[Image: 1982.jpg]

I found the image on a different auction site with the following caption:

971. Rare carte photograph of Booth; a formerly unpublished variant before being discovered and pictured in The Rail Splitter two years ago. This is only the second example we are aware of... and quite a fine one at that! Light age toning, nice detail. (Est. $700-900)

So maybe the one on the Heritage Auction website is a new third example of this CDV?

Here's the link to where I found the image (you'll have to scroll down to no 971:

http://www.railsplitter.com/sale11/assassination.html

There are a couple of rare Booths that are worth seeing just below this entry as well.

Gene C · (This post was last modified: 05-03-2019 08:23 AM by Gene C.)

Thanks for posting the auction link.
Some interesting items

Pamela, in post #47 has an image of several photo's of Booth.
The middle row, far right, looks similiar to the one you posted above
The circle or shadow running under his eyes for about the length of Booth's nose is similar. Only photo I've noticed that on.
Pamela mentioned Boothie Barn site.
Here are some photo's of Booth from that site, compare the bottom row picture
https://boothiebarn.com/picture-galleries/jwb-photos/

Susan Higginbotham · 05-03-2019, 08:29 AM

Looks like the genuine article to me. After seeing so many "wistful thinking" images that are claimed to be Booth, it's nice to see the real thing.

L Verge · 05-03-2019, 08:59 AM

(05-03-2019 05:45 AM)Gene C Wrote: Thanks for posting the auction link.
Some interesting items

Pamela, in post #47 has an image of several photo's of Booth.
The middle row, far right, looks similiar to the one you posted above
The circle or shadow running under his eyes for about the length of Booth's nose is similar. Only photo I've noticed that on.
Pamela mentioned Boothie Barn site.
Here are some photo's of Booth from that site, compare the bottom row picture
https://boothiebarn.com/picture-galleries/jwb-photos/

I agree. The one that the Gutmans identify as Booth #7 (and I trust their call) is definitely the same as the auction pose. The eyes still don't look right, but Richard and Kellie are/were very thorough in their research (since the 1970s). I hereby change my opinion.