Baxter, Thomas. [Sketches of London stage productions, 1802-6]

Folger bibliographic ID: 262030
Folger call number: ART Vol. d47
Folger holdings ID: 345623
Accession Number: cs(818)

General notes

Artist: The binding and hand written title page of this volume attribute the drawings to George Henry Harlow, the title page reading: "George Henry Harlow / original drawings of contemporary theatrical characters / originally belonging to Lady Hamilton 1802-1806." The volume was formerly cataloged under Harlow but has been reattributed here due to the research of Geoffrey Ashton who has convincingly linked Baxter to the Folger volume (see Ashton, Geoffrey. British theatrical painting c. 1800-1820 : with a special reference to George Henry Harlow and Thomas Baxter. Ph.D. thesis submitted to the Cortauld Institute, University of London, 1983, and the forthcoming publication Thomas Baxter's Drawings of the London stage, 1802-6) History: It is assumed that these sketches were taken from actual performances viewed by Baxter Provenance: The bookseller attributed the forming and mounting of the collection to Emma, Lady Hamilton and the title page and binding note Lady Hamilton as the former owner. The binding bears the stamp of Sangorski and Sutcliffe, a London firm established in 1901. The volume was purchased by the Folgers from Gabriel Wells, March 4, 1919 Subject: Drawings illustrate numerous actors and actresses from the early 19th century stage, in their roles, including Sarah Siddons, J.P. Kemble, Charles Kemble, Master Betty, G.F. Cooke, Mr. & Mrs. Pope, Grimaldi, and many others. Several Shakespearean plays are illustrated as well as popular plays of the day (i.e. Pizarro, The Mogul tale, Two husbands, Bluebeard, Don Juan, and The haunted tower). The London theaters represented are Covent Garden, Drury Lane, Sadlers Wells, Haymarket, King's Theatre, and Astley's. Many of the slips contain sketches of more than one view or actor, and there are, altogether, approximately 815 images The sketches have been executed on small slips of laid paper, glued to larger sheets of coarse wove paper which have been set into 46 leaves of mat board and bound in a folio volume. 143 of the drawings are executed on the versos of the slips and 61 of the drawings have been colored with wash. All of the items bear the initials of a London theater and most are dated with a year. Some of the sketches note the actor depicted and the title of the play being performed. None are signed This record contains unverified data from old cards and may contain incorrect or incomplete text. Please consult Curator for assistance Portions also available as a digital reproduction

Extended title: [Sketches of London stage productions, 1802-6] [Thomas Baxter]

Kemble, John Philip, 1757-1823 Astley's Amphitheatre Covent Garden Theatre Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (London, England) Haymarket Theatre (London, England) King's Theatre (London, England) Sadler's Wells Theatre (London, England) Actors Theaters London (England) Theatrical productions

artist: Baxter, Thomas, 1782-1821
depiction: Kemble, John Philip, 1757-1823
depiction: Astley's Amphitheatre
depiction: Covent Garden Theatre
depiction: Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (London, England)
depiction: Haymarket Theatre (London, England)
depiction: King's Theatre (London, England)
depiction: Sadler's Wells Theatre (London, England)
former owner: Hamilton, Emma, Lady, 1761?-1815
attributed name: Harlowe, George Henry, 1787-1819