A collection of six gaming counters or monetary tokens from the gambling houses and clubs of Georgian London. Four were made by John Milton (signed "J. Milton f." or "J.M" on the smaller pieces) with an ace of spades encircled with the quote "Honi soit qui mal y pense", wreathed and crowned. The two others by Milton have on the obverse the initials "S.F." (S. Fiuri, in Bury Street St. Mary Axe) and the date "1 May 1792" and a value of "XII" or "VI". The two other Milton counters are marked "S&L" indicating Smith & Lockwood and the other "JL" for John Lister in Haymarket. Another small token in white metal issued by the "Cocoa Tree" with the value on the obverse "One guinea". The last counter in gilt-brass issued by "Free Mason Tavern" and marked "462' in the center and on the obverse "M. Richold Guina." with laurels above and below
A collection of seven copper theater passes or tickets for London theatres dating between 1762 and approximately 1820, all blank on the obverse sides except for the token for the Box Prince's Side (BPS 1796) which is decorated with a chain of small linked circles around the perimeter. The 1788 token for a box at Covent Garden is the only token with a hole in the center
Description:
Title devised by cataloger. and For further information, consult library staff.
Circular black snuffbox, varnished with a gilt edge surrounding the portrait of Caroline of Brunswick on the lid and bearing the text 'Queen Caroline of England' at foot
Description:
Title from item. and Portrait taken from the original by Abraham Wivell.
Subject (Name):
Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821,
An 18th-century oak document box with the lid stamped on the interior: VIRTUOSI PROVIDENT; underside of lid painted: Bought at Sale of the great/VIRTUOSO/Horace Walpole/Earl of Orford. Metal handles now missing. Formerly stored in the Round Tower at Strawberry Hill. With a key., Title devised by curator., Text from the 1842 Catalogue of the classic contents of Strawberry Hill collected by Horace Walpole: A stout wainscot box, lock and key, and a deal ditto [The deal bookcase ...]., and Also available as a digital reproduction.
The profile of an actor in the role of a Spanish nobleman bears a strong resemblance to that of David Garrick, in costume on stage looking left, arm raised in a dramatic gesture. Garrick's rule over the English stage was absolute for over thirty years. He went to London with Dr. Johnson in 1737, and by 1741 had progressed to his famous portrayal of Richard III, which made his reputation. Garrick was accomplished in seventeen Shakespearian roles and was also a gifted playwright and producer
Alternative Title:
Shadow box framed depiction David Garrick on stage
Description:
One of a pair of shadowboxes. The other box was titled in the 2005 Christie's appraisal: A shadowbox framed depiction of two actors in performance. and Provenance from a label affixed to the top of one of a pair of boxes, in Mrs. Lewis hand.
The dancer wearing a Roman toga is perhaps David Garrick, with Mrs. Siddons accompanying him on the lute. In his imaginary journey through time, Three tours through London in the years 1748, 1776, 1797 (New Haven, 1941), Wilmarth S. Lewis 'goes' to the London theatre of 1776 where "Garrick still requires that those playing a scene with him shall turn their backs to the audience when addresssing him so that there will be no question whatever of its attention being diverted from him. Failure to observe this rule ... caused young Mrs. Siddons to fall into disfavour and contributed to her dismissal from the company."
Alternative Title:
Shadow box framed depiction two actors in performance
Description:
One of a pair of shadowboxes. The other box is titled: A shadowbox framed depiction David Garrick on stage. and Provenance from a label affixed to the top of one of a pair of boxes, in Mrs. Lewis hand.
Subject (Name):
Garrick, David, 1717-1779. and Siddons, Sarah, 1755-1831.
Title from dealer's catalog., Initialed by artist., and Around the edge is the inscription: "Robertus. Walpole, Ord. Periscellidis. Eques." On the reverse is a full length figure which Horace Walpole mentions in his letter of 15 October 1788 to John Pinkerton: "One [medal of my father] I think was struck by Natter, who was much patronized by my brother, Sir Edward...the consular figure on the medal I meanintended for Cicero; but I believe was copied from a statue belonging to the late Earl of Leicester at Holkham, and which, if I do not mistake at this distance of time, is called Lucius Antonius..." Under the figure the initials MTC [Marcus Tullius Cicero] under which are the initials L.N.
sh-000158 Two on view in the Reading Room; two in Storage (UFS)
Image Count:
1
Resource Type:
three-dimensional form
Description:
Four gothic style chairs, made of beech, painted black, one pair overpainted with later white and gilt, modern upholstery designed by Mr. Bentley and Mr. Walpole. Formerly in the Refectory [Great Parlour] at Strawberry Hill., Title devised by curator., Text from the 1842 Catalogue of the classic contents of Strawberry Hill collected by Horace Walpole: Two Most Beautifully Carved Chairs, ebonized, the backs of the true Gothic order, very elaborately and delicately carved, black frames and seats of embossed work. Lot 50: Two equally beautiful chairs. Lot 51: Ditto. Lot 52: Ditto. These chairs were the joint designs of Mr. Bentley and Mr. Walpole, and are perfectly unique., and Also available as a digital reproduction.