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Collection of theatrical correspondence and ephemera, 1697-1930

Title: Collection of theatrical correspondence and ephemera 1697-1930

The William Appleton collection consists of letters, handwritten manuscripts, "penny plains" and "two-pence coloured" materials, which were small portraits of actors created for the toy theater trade, a once-popular form of home entertainment. The collection encompasses the late 17th century up through the mid-20th century, although the bulk of the material falls between the mid-18th century and the mid-19th century. The oldest item is a letter from actress Elizabeth Barry to a Lady Lisbourn, dated October 25, 1697. The latest item is a letter from playwright George Bernard Shaw to a J. T. Grien, dated November 28, 1930. The collection contains many letters from prominent theatrical figures, primarily of the English stage, including Ira Aldridge, Dion Boucicault, Edward Gordon Craig, David Garrick, Sir Henry Irving, Edmund Kean, William Charles Macready, Bernard Shaw, Sarah Siddons, Dame Ellen Terry, and others. Also included are black and white portraits known as "penny plains," and color portraits known as "two-pence coloured," depicting actors and actresses of the day in their best known roles. These images were intended for home use in puppet theater-type settings, and most date from the early to mid-1800s, though some date as far back as 1799.

ArchivalResource:

http://archives.nypl.org/the/21600 View

Chestnut Street Theatre (Philadelphia, Pa.). Theatre. : Doors will be opened at a quarter past 6, and the curtain rise at 7 o'clock. Mr. Pearman, Mr. Horn, and Mrs. Austin's third night. The opera of Artaxerxes having been received with rapturous applause on Wednesday evening, will be repeated to-night. Monday evening, May 12, 1828, will be presented a petite comedy, in one act, called Cherry bounce. ... After which, the grand serious opera of Artaxerxes, by Dr. Arne. ... To conclude with a farce, called The rendezvous. ... To-morrow evening, Jane Shore. Jane Shore, Mrs. Sloman, (the first night of her engagement.) Dumont, Mr. Rowbotham, ... After which, a favourite farce, in which Mr. Sloman will appear. ...

Title: Theatre. : Doors will be opened at a quarter past 6, and the curtain rise at 7 o'clock. Mr. Pearman, Mr. Horn, and Mrs. Austin's third night. The opera of Artaxerxes having been received with rapturous applause on Wednesday evening, will be repeated to-night. Monday evening, May 12, 1828, will be presented a petite comedy, in one act, called Cherry bounce. ... After which, the grand serious opera of Artaxerxes, by Dr. Arne. ... To conclude with a farce, called The rendezvous. ... To-morrow evening, Jane Shore. Jane Shore, Mrs. Sloman, (the first night of her engagement.) Dumont, Mr. Rowbotham, ... After which, a favourite farce, in which Mr. Sloman will appear. ...

ArchivalResource: 1 sheet ([1] p.) ; 42 x 19 cm

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/746050892 View