“Benefit and Positively the Last Appearance of Miss Adah Isaacs Menken…” Theatrical broadside, Howard Athenaeum, Boston.
AUCTION 69 |
Thursday, June 23rd,
2016 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Holy Land Maps and Ceremonial Objects
Lot 13
(AMERICAN JUDAICA).
“Benefit and Positively the Last Appearance of Miss Adah Isaacs Menken…” Theatrical broadside, Howard Athenaeum, Boston.
Boston: Farwell 1862
Est: $1,200 - $1,800
PRICE REALIZED $1,300
Advertising Isaac Menken’s last appearance in her celebrated performances “Mazeppa” and “her fearful ascent and descent on the wild horse.” Adah Isaacs Menken (1835-68) was the highest earning American actress of her time. She was best known for her performance in the melodrama Mazeppa, with a climax that apparently featured her nude on stage while riding a horse.
“Adah Isaacs Menken, the first American Jewish ‘superstar,’ helped pioneer the art of cultivating an outsized, even outrageous, personality as a path to fame and fortune.” (JVL).