A selection of stock we have recently added to our website.
A selection of stock we have recently added to our website.
A selection of stock we have recently added to our website.
VAT included (see terms) | Exclude VAT
Johannes Gay. Life is a jest, and all things shew it; I thought so once, but now I know it.
Zinck pinx. W.m Smith del. et sculp.
Published as the Act directs, Dec.r 1.st 1775 by J. Thane, Gerrard Street, Soho, London.
Scarce mezzotint, 18th century watermark. 325 x 225mm (12¾ x 8¾"), with large margins. Slight rubbing.
A half-length portrait in oval of John Gay (1685-1732), poet and playwright. A member of the Scriblerus Club in London along with Pope, Swift, and other writers, Gay is best-known for 'The Beggar's Opera', which was produced almost every year until the 1880s, and in the twentieth century supplied the plot for Brecht and Weils 'Die Dreigroschenoper' ('The Threepenny Opera'). Engraved from a portrait by Dresden-born miniaturist C.F. Zincke (1684?-1767), a favourite of George II
CS 1., state ii of ii.
[Ref: 62703] £260.00 (£312.00 incl.VAT)
Zinck pinx. W.m Smith del. et sculp.
Published as the Act directs, Dec.r 1.st 1775 by J. Thane, Gerrard Street, Soho, London.
Scarce mezzotint, 18th century watermark. 325 x 225mm (12¾ x 8¾"), with large margins. Slight rubbing.
A half-length portrait in oval of John Gay (1685-1732), poet and playwright. A member of the Scriblerus Club in London along with Pope, Swift, and other writers, Gay is best-known for 'The Beggar's Opera', which was produced almost every year until the 1880s, and in the twentieth century supplied the plot for Brecht and Weils 'Die Dreigroschenoper' ('The Threepenny Opera'). Engraved from a portrait by Dresden-born miniaturist C.F. Zincke (1684?-1767), a favourite of George II
CS 1., state ii of ii.
[Ref: 62703] £260.00 (£312.00 incl.VAT)
Grimaldi & the Nondescript in the Red Dwarf. The Clown kills the Pantaloon and afterwards Dresses him in the Skin of a Lion, the Head of an Ass, Eagles Wings, Cats feet & a Fishes tail.
W. Heath Del.
[n.d., c.1810.]
Very rare hand-coloured etching. Sheet 350 x 255mm (13¾ x 10"). Tear on lower right. Trimmed.
Joseph Grimaldi (1778 – 1837) in a scene from the pantomime The Red Dwarf. Grimaldi faces the pantaloon, who is on all fours dressed in a lion's skin, ass's head, eagle's wings, cat's feet and a fish's tail. Early clown image.
Not in Georges BM Satire.
[Ref: 63153] £320.00
W. Heath Del.
[n.d., c.1810.]
Very rare hand-coloured etching. Sheet 350 x 255mm (13¾ x 10"). Tear on lower right. Trimmed.
Joseph Grimaldi (1778 – 1837) in a scene from the pantomime The Red Dwarf. Grimaldi faces the pantaloon, who is on all fours dressed in a lion's skin, ass's head, eagle's wings, cat's feet and a fish's tail. Early clown image.
Not in Georges BM Satire.
[Ref: 63153] £320.00
Grimaldi's, Bold Dragoon. In the Popular Pantomime of the Red Dwarf.
[William Heath.]
[Published by Thomas Palser, n.d., c.1812.]
Rare hand-colouring etching on 18th century watermarked paper. Verso in ink "J Paul from Ackermanns 44 King St Covent Garden" dealer's stamp. Sheet 350 x 255mm (13¾ x 10"). Tear at the top centre. Trimmed.
The clown Grimaldi dressed as a hussar with huge boots and hat, brandishing a sword, threatening a man in wig in eighteenth-century costume. Early clown image.
Not in George BM Satires. 1948.0214.769
[Ref: 63154] £360.00
[William Heath.]
[Published by Thomas Palser, n.d., c.1812.]
Rare hand-colouring etching on 18th century watermarked paper. Verso in ink "J Paul from Ackermanns 44 King St Covent Garden" dealer's stamp. Sheet 350 x 255mm (13¾ x 10"). Tear at the top centre. Trimmed.
The clown Grimaldi dressed as a hussar with huge boots and hat, brandishing a sword, threatening a man in wig in eighteenth-century costume. Early clown image.
Not in George BM Satires. 1948.0214.769
[Ref: 63154] £360.00
The Favourite Comic Dance. By Mess, rs Bologna Jun.r. and Grimaldi, In the Popular Pantomime of Mother Goose.
Published March 15, 1807 at R. Ackermanns, No.101 Strand London.
Rare hand-colouring etching. Sheet 320 x 270mm (12½ x 10½"). Tear at the top centre and creasing across the top and lower centre.
Grimaldi and Monsieurs Bologna hold hands, dancing, heads turned away from one another, in the pantomime Mother Goose. Early clown image.
Not in George BM Satires.
[Ref: 63155] £360.00
Published March 15, 1807 at R. Ackermanns, No.101 Strand London.
Rare hand-colouring etching. Sheet 320 x 270mm (12½ x 10½"). Tear at the top centre and creasing across the top and lower centre.
Grimaldi and Monsieurs Bologna hold hands, dancing, heads turned away from one another, in the pantomime Mother Goose. Early clown image.
Not in George BM Satires.
[Ref: 63155] £360.00
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Mr Grimaldi's Benefit, And Last Appearance in Public. This Evening. Friday, June 27, 1828.
[London: 1828.] J. Tabby, Printer, Thetare Royal, Drury Lane.
Letterpress Playbill. 200 x 325mm (8 x 12¾"). Fragile. Some damage along the top and left edge. Two holes in the left.
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane playbill for Mr. Grimaldi's benefit and last appearance in public, on the 17th of June, 1828. The bill details of entertainments such as a comic piece called 'Jonathan in England', followed by the musical entertainment of 'Adopted Child'.
[Ref: 63148] £130.00 (£156.00 incl.VAT)
[London: 1828.] J. Tabby, Printer, Thetare Royal, Drury Lane.
Letterpress Playbill. 200 x 325mm (8 x 12¾"). Fragile. Some damage along the top and left edge. Two holes in the left.
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane playbill for Mr. Grimaldi's benefit and last appearance in public, on the 17th of June, 1828. The bill details of entertainments such as a comic piece called 'Jonathan in England', followed by the musical entertainment of 'Adopted Child'.
[Ref: 63148] £130.00 (£156.00 incl.VAT)
Grimaldi with The Broom & Tin Kettle in Mother Goose.
O'Keefe.
Pub.d, by A. Neil, No. 448 Strand. [n.d., c.1800.]
Very rare coloured etching. 190 x 250mm (7½ x 10"). Some time staining. Trimmed.
Portrait of Joseph Grimaldi, as the clown in 'Mother Goose'; whole length, standing, holding a large spoon and bunch of twigs, balancing a broom and tin kettle between legs and on knees, the broom coming up to his chin. Early clown image.
BM K.60.83
[Ref: 63150] £190.00 (£228.00 incl.VAT)
O'Keefe.
Pub.d, by A. Neil, No. 448 Strand. [n.d., c.1800.]
Very rare coloured etching. 190 x 250mm (7½ x 10"). Some time staining. Trimmed.
Portrait of Joseph Grimaldi, as the clown in 'Mother Goose'; whole length, standing, holding a large spoon and bunch of twigs, balancing a broom and tin kettle between legs and on knees, the broom coming up to his chin. Early clown image.
BM K.60.83
[Ref: 63150] £190.00 (£228.00 incl.VAT)
![[Grimaldi's Tandem in the Comic Pantomime of the 'Golden Fish'.]](jpegs/63151.jpg)
[Grimaldi's Tandem in the Comic Pantomime of the 'Golden Fish'.]
[William Heath 'Paul Pry' del.t.]
[n.d., c.1812.]
Very rare hand-coloured etching. 310 x 245mm (12 x 9½"). Small tear on lower edge. Two small worm holes. Trimmed.
A portrait of Grimaldi, the comic actor sits in a wicker tandem cart and is drawn across the stage by dogs in a pantomime scene. Early clown image.
[Ref: 63151] £380.00
[William Heath 'Paul Pry' del.t.]
[n.d., c.1812.]
Very rare hand-coloured etching. 310 x 245mm (12 x 9½"). Small tear on lower edge. Two small worm holes. Trimmed.
A portrait of Grimaldi, the comic actor sits in a wicker tandem cart and is drawn across the stage by dogs in a pantomime scene. Early clown image.
[Ref: 63151] £380.00
Mr. Grimaldi as Clown. In the Popular new Pantomime of Mother Goose.
Published Feb. 14. 1807, by S. De Wilde No.9 Tavistock Row, Covent Garden. [n.d., c.1807.]
Very rare hand-coloured etching. 310 x 245mm (12 x 9½"). Small tear and staining right of title.
A portrait of Joseph Grimaldi, as the clown in 'Mother Goose'; whole length, standing, holding a halter, and a letter inscribed 'Sir, I'll just trouble you with a line'; his hair in a blue mohawk, wearing striped breeches. "Price 2.6 colour'd". Early clown image.
Not in George BM Satire.
[Ref: 63152] £380.00
Published Feb. 14. 1807, by S. De Wilde No.9 Tavistock Row, Covent Garden. [n.d., c.1807.]
Very rare hand-coloured etching. 310 x 245mm (12 x 9½"). Small tear and staining right of title.
A portrait of Joseph Grimaldi, as the clown in 'Mother Goose'; whole length, standing, holding a halter, and a letter inscribed 'Sir, I'll just trouble you with a line'; his hair in a blue mohawk, wearing striped breeches. "Price 2.6 colour'd". Early clown image.
Not in George BM Satire.
[Ref: 63152] £380.00
M.r Holman and Miss Brunton in the Characters of Romeo and Juliet. Act 5. scene last.
Painted by M. Brown. Engraved by T. Park.
London Published by T. Park, No 106 Pall Mall, Jan.y 1st 1787.
Mezzotint, very fine impression, 655 x 450mm (25¾ x 17¾"), with title on separate plate, 40 x 450 (1¼ x 17¾"). Small tear entering inscription plate. Slight repair bottom right.
Portraits of Joseph George Holman (1764-1817) and Ann Brunton Merry (1769-1808) as Romeo and Juliet, by the American painter Mather Brown (1761-1831). Exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1786 it shows a happy ending to Romeo and Juliet, with the lovers emerging from the tomb.
CS II of II. The original oil is in the University of Bristol Theatre Collection.
[Ref: 63266] £480.00
Painted by M. Brown. Engraved by T. Park.
London Published by T. Park, No 106 Pall Mall, Jan.y 1st 1787.
Mezzotint, very fine impression, 655 x 450mm (25¾ x 17¾"), with title on separate plate, 40 x 450 (1¼ x 17¾"). Small tear entering inscription plate. Slight repair bottom right.
Portraits of Joseph George Holman (1764-1817) and Ann Brunton Merry (1769-1808) as Romeo and Juliet, by the American painter Mather Brown (1761-1831). Exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1786 it shows a happy ending to Romeo and Juliet, with the lovers emerging from the tomb.
CS II of II. The original oil is in the University of Bristol Theatre Collection.
[Ref: 63266] £480.00
![[Anne Merry] The Child of Nature.](jpegs/63041.jpg)
[Anne Merry] The Child of Nature.
[n.d. c.1790.]
Rare stipple, sheet 275 x 210mm (10¾ x 8¼"). Trimmed within plate. Title bit messy.
Three-quarter length portrait of Anne Merry, when Miss Brunton, in character as Amanthis in Inchbald's 'Child of Nature,' in an oval, standing to the left with hands joined.
[Ref: 63041] £140.00 (£168.00 incl.VAT)
[n.d. c.1790.]
Rare stipple, sheet 275 x 210mm (10¾ x 8¼"). Trimmed within plate. Title bit messy.
Three-quarter length portrait of Anne Merry, when Miss Brunton, in character as Amanthis in Inchbald's 'Child of Nature,' in an oval, standing to the left with hands joined.
[Ref: 63041] £140.00 (£168.00 incl.VAT)
William Powell.
Lawranson delin. J. Dixon fecit.
London, Publish'd according to Act of Parliament Aug.t 1. 1769. & Sold by J. Goldar N.º 187. te Corner of Cliffords Inn Passage Fleet Street.
Rare mezzotint. 325 x 230mm (12¾ x 9"). Trimmed to image on three sides, some creasing, wear to inscription area, mounted on lined album paper. Damaged.
Half-length portrait in oval of actor William Powell (1735-69), who premiered at the Drury Lane Theatre in 1763, purchased a share in Covent Garden Theatre in 1767 and played at both the Jacob's Well and King Street Theatres in Bristol. He died young, having caught a cold playing cricket.
CS 229, state ii of ii.
[Ref: 63178] £90.00 (£108.00 incl.VAT)
Lawranson delin. J. Dixon fecit.
London, Publish'd according to Act of Parliament Aug.t 1. 1769. & Sold by J. Goldar N.º 187. te Corner of Cliffords Inn Passage Fleet Street.
Rare mezzotint. 325 x 230mm (12¾ x 9"). Trimmed to image on three sides, some creasing, wear to inscription area, mounted on lined album paper. Damaged.
Half-length portrait in oval of actor William Powell (1735-69), who premiered at the Drury Lane Theatre in 1763, purchased a share in Covent Garden Theatre in 1767 and played at both the Jacob's Well and King Street Theatres in Bristol. He died young, having caught a cold playing cricket.
CS 229, state ii of ii.
[Ref: 63178] £90.00 (£108.00 incl.VAT)
![[Mary 'Perdita' Robinson] Mrs. Robinson.](jpegs/63074.jpg)
[Mary 'Perdita' Robinson] Mrs. Robinson.
Englehart pinx.t. R. Stanier sculp.t.
Published Jan.y. 1. 1788 by Torre & Co. No. 132 Pall Mall.
Stipple engraving. Plate 150 x 175mm (6 x 7"), large margins. Tiny dent on lower edge of plate in centre.
Portrait of Mary 'Perdita' Robinson (British, 1758–1800), an English actress, poet, dramatist, novelist, and socialite. She earned her nickname for her role as Perdita (heroine of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale) in 1779. She was the first public mistress of King George IV while he was still Prince of Wales. Her husband, Thomas Robinson, was imprisoned for debt in the Fleet Prison where she lived with him for many months. It was here that her literary career really began, as she found that she could publish poetry to earn money, her first book, Poems By Mrs. Robinson, was published in 1775. After her husband obtained his release from prison, Robinson decided to return to the theatre. She launched her acting career and took to the stage playing Juliet at Drury Lane Theatre in December 1776. From the late 1780s, Robinson became distinguished for her poetry and was called "the English Sappho". In addition to poems, she wrote eight novels, three plays, feminist treatises, and an autobiographical manuscript that was incomplete at the time of her death. She championed the rights of women and was an ardent supporter of the French Revolution. She died in poverty at Englefield Cottage, Englefield Green, Surrey, 26 December 1800, aged 44.
[Ref: 63074] £320.00
Englehart pinx.t. R. Stanier sculp.t.
Published Jan.y. 1. 1788 by Torre & Co. No. 132 Pall Mall.
Stipple engraving. Plate 150 x 175mm (6 x 7"), large margins. Tiny dent on lower edge of plate in centre.
Portrait of Mary 'Perdita' Robinson (British, 1758–1800), an English actress, poet, dramatist, novelist, and socialite. She earned her nickname for her role as Perdita (heroine of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale) in 1779. She was the first public mistress of King George IV while he was still Prince of Wales. Her husband, Thomas Robinson, was imprisoned for debt in the Fleet Prison where she lived with him for many months. It was here that her literary career really began, as she found that she could publish poetry to earn money, her first book, Poems By Mrs. Robinson, was published in 1775. After her husband obtained his release from prison, Robinson decided to return to the theatre. She launched her acting career and took to the stage playing Juliet at Drury Lane Theatre in December 1776. From the late 1780s, Robinson became distinguished for her poetry and was called "the English Sappho". In addition to poems, she wrote eight novels, three plays, feminist treatises, and an autobiographical manuscript that was incomplete at the time of her death. She championed the rights of women and was an ardent supporter of the French Revolution. She died in poverty at Englefield Cottage, Englefield Green, Surrey, 26 December 1800, aged 44.
[Ref: 63074] £320.00
Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
Painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Engravd by Jn.º Hall, Engraver to his Majesty, 1791. Printed by G.W. Richards.
London. Publish'd as the Act directs, April 30.th 1791, by Jn.º Hall, N.º Berwick Street. Sold by W Dickinson, Bond Street, T. Maklin, Poets Gallery & Fleet Street, & B.B. Evans in the Poultry, &c.
Engraving with etching, 18th century watermark; 520 x 380mm (20½ x 15"), very large margins.
A three-quarter portrait of Irish politician, playright and theatre-owner Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816), standing, according to Manning, 'at the table of the House of Commons, speaking on the subject of the Regency Bill'. Originally published by Hall, this fourth state was publisahed by a consortium.
See Manning 1612. Hamilton p.64.
[Ref: 63174] £450.00
Painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Engravd by Jn.º Hall, Engraver to his Majesty, 1791. Printed by G.W. Richards.
London. Publish'd as the Act directs, April 30.th 1791, by Jn.º Hall, N.º Berwick Street. Sold by W Dickinson, Bond Street, T. Maklin, Poets Gallery & Fleet Street, & B.B. Evans in the Poultry, &c.
Engraving with etching, 18th century watermark; 520 x 380mm (20½ x 15"), very large margins.
A three-quarter portrait of Irish politician, playright and theatre-owner Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816), standing, according to Manning, 'at the table of the House of Commons, speaking on the subject of the Regency Bill'. Originally published by Hall, this fourth state was publisahed by a consortium.
See Manning 1612. Hamilton p.64.
[Ref: 63174] £450.00
![[Theatre set] Osteria.](jpegs/63056.jpg)
[Theatre set] Osteria.
A.Basoli inv. P. Candeglieri dis. L. e F. Basoli inc.
[Italy, 1821.]
Scarce aquatint with line engraving, printed in brown. 305 x 380mm (12 x 15"), with very large margins.
A theatre set for a play set in Italy outside an osteria, or bar, where people are playing boules. Published in Antonio Basoli's 'Collezione di varie scene teatrali', 1821.
Ex: Collection of Edward Croft Murray
[Ref: 63056] £280.00 (£336.00 incl.VAT)
A.Basoli inv. P. Candeglieri dis. L. e F. Basoli inc.
[Italy, 1821.]
Scarce aquatint with line engraving, printed in brown. 305 x 380mm (12 x 15"), with very large margins.
A theatre set for a play set in Italy outside an osteria, or bar, where people are playing boules. Published in Antonio Basoli's 'Collezione di varie scene teatrali', 1821.
Ex: Collection of Edward Croft Murray
[Ref: 63056] £280.00 (£336.00 incl.VAT)
![[Maria Anna Veronese] M.lle. Coraline.](jpegs/63171.jpg)
[Maria Anna Veronese] M.lle. Coraline.
Allais Pinxit. Vispré Sculp.
[n.d., c.1700s.]
Rare mezzotint. Sheet 195 x 145mm (7¾ x 5¾").
Portrait of Maria Anna Veronese (French: Marie Anne Véronèse) (died 1782) was a Franco/Italian actress active at the Comédie-Italienne in Paris. She became the mistress of Louis François Joseph, Prince of Conti, by whom she had two illegitimate children, born in 1761 and 1767. Nicknamed "Mademoiselle Coraline", Anna Veronese was the daughter of Italian Pantalone-actor Carlo Veronese and the sister of actress Giacoma Antonia Veronese (d. 1768). She debuted with her sister at the Comédie-Italienne in Paris in 1744. The Veronese sisters are considered two of the most notable interpreters of the soubrette-parts of the commedia dell'arte. They were known as Corallina (Coraline in French) and Camilla, respectively, after their standard parts. Anna was particularly known for her quick costume changes.
[Ref: 63171] £260.00 (£312.00 incl.VAT)
Allais Pinxit. Vispré Sculp.
[n.d., c.1700s.]
Rare mezzotint. Sheet 195 x 145mm (7¾ x 5¾").
Portrait of Maria Anna Veronese (French: Marie Anne Véronèse) (died 1782) was a Franco/Italian actress active at the Comédie-Italienne in Paris. She became the mistress of Louis François Joseph, Prince of Conti, by whom she had two illegitimate children, born in 1761 and 1767. Nicknamed "Mademoiselle Coraline", Anna Veronese was the daughter of Italian Pantalone-actor Carlo Veronese and the sister of actress Giacoma Antonia Veronese (d. 1768). She debuted with her sister at the Comédie-Italienne in Paris in 1744. The Veronese sisters are considered two of the most notable interpreters of the soubrette-parts of the commedia dell'arte. They were known as Corallina (Coraline in French) and Camilla, respectively, after their standard parts. Anna was particularly known for her quick costume changes.
[Ref: 63171] £260.00 (£312.00 incl.VAT)