LINCOLN ASSASSINATION VINTAGE BOOTH WANTED POSTER 671

The2FunAdGuyz offer a new, high quality reproduction, print of the 1865 Reward Poster for three of the assassins of Civil War President Abraham Lincoln, namely John Wilkes Booth, John Surratt and David Herold. On April 20, 1865 the citizens of the United States were in a state of shock following Lincoln’s assassination and death five days earlier. After four years of a horrible Civil War and after only a few days of peace, Abraham Lincoln, The Great Emancipator, was dead. Even worse, five days had elapsed since then and most of the perpetrators had not been caught even after a massive manhunt. In an effort to expedite their capture, Edwin M. Stanton, the Secretary of War, on this date issued this poster offering a total of $100,000 in reward for helping to capture John Wilkes Booth ($50,000), John H. Surratt ($25,000) and David C. Harold ($25,000). State and other authorities offered additional amounts. These offers, plus the amounts on this poster, according to a line at the bottom of the poster totaled $200,000.  When printed on the antique paper we use, the effect is both stunning and captivating.  

IMPORTANT NOTE: The2FunAdGuyz restored this poster to near its original state.  We have corrected most cracks, stains and other age-related problems.  Many vintage poster and prints sold on eBay are not restored and, as a result, may disappoint buyers.  When you display this print in your home or give it as a gift, we want you to be proud. 

This poster had three purposes. First, it genuinely wanted to aid in the capture of these criminals. Secondly, it wanted to let the public, which was growing ever more agitated by the day; know that considerable effort was being made. Finally, it warned others that aiding or assisting in their escape would make them accomplices, subject to a military tribunal and the punishment of death.

There is some interesting history about this poster. This is one of the first “wanted” posters to use pictures. The picture of Booth is actually a publicity photo for his acting career. The pictures of Harold and Surratt are carte-de-vista pictures. These were photographic pictures of the size formerly in use for a visiting card. On the poster, the name of David C. Herold is misspelled as Harold.

The fate of these three could not have been more different. On April 26, Booth and Herold were cornered in Virginia. Herold surrendered to authorities. Booth held out and the barn was set afire. He still refused to surrender and was killed. Herold was tried by a military tribunal, convicted and hanged. John Surratt escaped to Canada and eventually he was spotted in Europe. He was captured abroad and was tried in 1867 in a civil court. The trial ended with a deadlocked jury, and Surratt went free.

Perhaps nothing captures this horrible moment of history any more dramatically than the poster and these lines from it. Let the stain of innocent blood be removed from the land by the arrest and punishment of the murderers.

DECORATING USES: Many of our customers find this poster appropriate for a home library or den. This photograph is frequently used as a classroom decoration or for decorating a law office.

GIFT IDEAS: The perfect gift for any Civil War or Lincoln history buff. Teachers, lawyers and law enforcement personnel love to receive this poster as a gift.

PAPER QUALITY: This new print is on a quality parchment-like paper that allows for maximum color brilliance for older images, ultimately providing a warm and natural presentation. For an expanded explanation of our Paper Quality, go to our FAQ by Clicking Here.

Image Size: 8 inches wide by 16.5 inches high. For an expanded explanation of Image Size, go to our FAQ by Clicking Here.

Paper Size: 11 inches wide by 17 inches high. This allows for a small border around the image for matting and framing. For an expanded explanation of Paper Size, go to our FAQ by Clicking Here.

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