An unusual and beautiful hand-drawn theatrical playbill from a Union gunboat accompanied by a letter from one of the actors. Items include: 

1. Union Aquatic Theatre on Board U.S. Steam Gun Boat Port Royal. Manuscript playbill. Apalachicola, Florida, 12 January 1863. 4 pages. 8 x 12 1/2 in. 

A remarkable manuscript playbill written in fine calligraphy in black, blue, and red ink with extensive flourishes. The U.S.S. Port Royal operated along the Florida coast for several months in the first half of 1863. Evidently, her theatrically-minded crew had enough time on their hands to stage plays in their "Union Aquatic Theater". 

Humourously, the calligrapher has written "Printed by Bishop's Cheap Hand Press" at the foot of the first page. The playbill lists three performances: "His Last Legs", "Make Your Wills", and "The House Dog," along with a cast list. Our letter writer, John Lammers, has a part in each. 

2. Autograph letter signed by John A.S. Lammers. US. Gunboat Port Royal, Apalachicola Bay, [Florida], 16 March 1863. 4 pages, 8vo. 

In a letter to a friend, a sailor aboard the Port Royal writes and expounds on the playbills: "I am in very good health all along so far and have a very good time among the theatrical folks here. I showed this letter to the Yeoman and he was pleased to hear that you took so much interest in the play bill, and send his compliments to you. We are getting up a splendid drawing of the stage which I shall send you in a short time with a scene of Toodles. We have had a great many bill sent away to the New York Press by our officers. We have received a large lot of play books by this mail and will soon be able to send you a sample our play bills again."

Besides their theatrical pursuits, the Port Royal would capture cotton and ordnance in a raid on Apalachicola on April 20th, capture the sloop Fashion laden with cotton on May 24th, and burn a ship repair facility at Devil's Elbow. In August 1863, her duty turned ever more interesting as she joined Rear Admiral Farragut during the operations in Mobile Bay. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]