The OP spectacles

description below

“The full face of Clifford, based on a fashionably swathed neck-cloth and high coat-collar, fills the design. The mouth is open as if shouting. The eyes and part of the cheeks are covered by circles representing huge spectacles. Each contains a symmetrical view of Covent Garden Theatre seen from the stage, showing pit, three tiers of boxes, and the centre of the two galleries (the ‘pigeon-holes’ not appearing), all crowded. The views differ only in the performers on the stage, two actors on the right (one clearly Kemble, probably as Macbeth), and on the left two actors and a file of soldiers. Superimposed on the middle of each circular design is a large ‘O’ (left) and ‘P’ (right). Round the broad rims of the spectacles: (left) ‘Old House Old Prices & No Private Boxes’ and (right) ‘Old House Old Prices & No Pigeon Holes’. On the bridge across the nose: ‘N.P.B.’ (No Private Boxes, see British Museum Satires No. 11421).”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Cruikshank, Isaac, 1764-1811, printmaker.
  • Title: The OP spectacles [graphic] / Cruikshank del.
  • Publication: [London] : Pubd. by T. Tegg, 111 Cheapside, Novr. 17, 1809.

Catalog Record

809.11.17.01

Acquired December 2023

The falling of the new Brunswick Theatre

description below

“Interior of the theatre collapsing over people who are trying to escape, including a couple in the centre under the falling chandelier, some figures trapped under collapsed pillars, another couple on the balcony in the left middle distance.”–British Museum online catalogue.

 

  • Printmaker: Cruikshank, Robert, 1789-1856, printmaker.
  • Title: The falling of the new Brunswick Theatre [graphic] / Robert Cruikshank fecit.
  • Publication: [London] : Published by J. Didsbury, 22, Southampton Street, Covent Garden, [1828]

Catalog Record

828.02.27.02+

Acquired November 2022

Always a character

description below

A caricatured portrait of comedian John Liston, standing before the Theatre Royal. Leaning against a bollard is a placard advertising the play ‘Fish out of Water’ in which he was starring as ‘Sam Savoury’.

  • Printmaker: Ash, William, active 1823, printmaker, artist.
  • Title: Always a character [graphic] / Wm. Ash invt. & fet.
  • Publication: [London] : Pubd. Novr. 25th, 1823, by G. Humphrey, 24, St. James’s St. & 74, New-Bond St., London, [25 November 1823]

Catalog Record

823.11.25.01

Acquired April 2023

For the benefit of Joe Miller

description below

Copy of a benefit ticket whose design was formerly attributed to Hogarth: a stage scene with four performers in Congreve’s ‘The Old Bachelor’, showing the scene in Act III where Noll receives a kicking from Sharper; print after a forgery purporting to be a benefit ticket for Joe Miller for his performance as Sir Joseph Wittol.

 

  • Title: For the benefit of Joe Miller [graphic] : Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The old batchelor / W. Hogarth ft.
  • Publication: [London?] : [publisher not identified], [early 19th century?]

Catalog Record

Hogarth 800.00.00.02 Box 140

Acquired August 2020

Theatre Royal

description below

A theater ticket with a scene from the play The mock doctor: Gregory, the mock doctor, holds the Charlotte’s wrist, as they look at her father who points to his mouth indicating that she is mute. The print after a forgery purporting to be an admission ticket for a performance of Fielding’s The Mock Doctor.

 

  • Title: Theatre Royal [graphic] : April [blank] a comedy with The mock doctor for the benefit of the author of the farce / W. Hogarth ft.
  • Publication: [London?] : [publisher not identified], [early 19th century?]

Catalog Record

Hogarth 800.00.00.01

Acquired August 2020

Theatre Royal in Covent-Garden, this present Thursday

  • Author: Covent Garden Theatre.
  • Title: Theatre Royal in Covent-Garden, this present Thursday, being the 24th of April, will be presented a comedy, call’d Love for love : Valentine by Mr. Smith … To which will be added a burlesque opera, call’d The dragon of Wantley. The part of Moore of Moore-hall by Mr. Lowe …
  • Publication: [London] : [The Theatre], [1755]

Catalog Record 

File 767 P69B C838 1755 4/24

Acquired June 2019

 

The stage medley

“Satire on the popularity of the Beggar’s Opera in the form of a medley print.”

  • Title: The stage medley [graphic] : representing the polite tast [sic] of the Town & the matchless merits of Poet G- Polly Peachum and Captn. Macheath.
  • Edition: [Second state].
  • Published: [England] : [publisher not identified], [April 1728]

Catalog Record 

728.04.00.01+

Acquired September 2018

By permission of the Right Worshipful the Mayor

lwlpr32042 (450x1024)

A playbill printed on silk

  • TitleBy permission of the Right Worshipful the Mayor. Mrs. Pinchott’s third appearance, of the Theatres Royal Covent Garden and Drury-Lane. Finch returns his most hearty and sincere thanks to the public at large, for all the encouragement he has met with, and informs them, his benefit is fixed for Wednesday evening next, Nov. 4th … The extraordinary alteration & improvement the hwole of the interior of The Pantheon has undergone … The performance will commence with a new ballet dance, called the Merry millers. Principle characters Mr. Auld, Mr. Miller… the whole to conclude with a grand Indian spectacle … written by Mr. Usher, called The savage chieftain, or, Sidney & his faithful dog …
  • PublicationNorwich : John Berry, printer, [ca. 1815]

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

File 767 P69B P197 815++

Acquired July 2015

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, rent charge …

Click for larger image Click for larger image

A letterpress indenture printed on vellum with blanks for names, dates, and signatures.

  • Author: Theatre Royal (Drury Lane, London, England)
  • Title: Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, rent charge of two shillings and sixpence for every night of performance …
  • Created: [London : s.n., 1793]

Catalog record

Drawer 769 793 D84

Acquired July 2012