Music & Art
Brooklyn, NY, January 5, 1861
Brooklyn Academy of Music Brass Admission Tag & Bonus Stock Certificate
Ticket/Invitation

A brass admission tag issued by the Committee of Arrangements to inaugurate the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Measuring 2.75" x 1.5", Brooklyn, NY, dated January 15, 1861. Slightly bent along right side, with surface scratching and light patina on verso. Accompanied by a 1925 stock certificate for twenty shares in the BAM, signed by its President and Treasurer. A very good pairing overall.

The tag is engraved on both sides, reading in full:

"Brooklyn Academy of Music. Brooklyn, Jan. 5, 1861.

You are respectfully invited to attend the Opening Entertainment of the Brooklyn Academy of Music. On Tuesday Evening, January 15th and Thursday ' ' 17th [back] On the first Evening, grand Vocal and Instrumental Concert, commencing at 8 o'clock. On the second Evening, Grand Promenade and Ball, at the same hour.

Respectfully yours, Committee of Arrangements."

Founded in 1861, the first BAM facility at 176?194 Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights was conceived as the home of the Philharmonic Society of Brooklyn. The Academy presented amateur and professional music and theater productions, including performers such as Ellen Terry, Edwin Booth, and Fritz Kreisler. It's first opera performance, Mercadante's "Il Giuramento", was held one week later with First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln in attendance.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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2.75" x 1.5"
Provenance: Email correspondence between the late collector Jonathan H. Mann (The Rail Splitter) and the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Archival Director, dated April 4 thru April 17, 2012, discussing the tag's origins.