Hamilton, the Musical opens next week at the Forrest Theater, and we are excited to share our collections that correspond with the show! Curated by our Curator of Printed Books, Rachel D’Agostino uses Hamilton’s song lyrics to drive this mini exhibition. Come check it out, then see the show!
Alexander Hamilton-Aaron Burr Dueling Pistols (Aldo Uberti for U.S. Historical Society, ca. 1976). On loan from Erik Almquist.
These .54 caliber, muzzle-loading, flintlock-action pistols are working reproductions of those used by Hamilton and Burr on July 11, 1804, in the duel that lead to Hamilton’s death two days later. The original pistols are owned by J.P. Morgan Chase, which traces its founding to Aaron Burr and his Manhattan Company (see the case across from this one for more on that dodgy endeavor).
