Friday, June 10, 2022

Shakesperian actors? Don't you believe it!

 

As is evident, I love to wander through ebay and pluck therefrom little treasures, especially of the theatrical kind ...

Of course, the 19th century theatre has been my (long) life's work, so I can pick up on photos and identifications that someone who is not steeped in the era can hardly be expected to recognise. And, witness yesterday's discovery, tell an amateur from a profession, or a mauser rifle from a javelin. Today was an example.

Visiting the eshop of 'Lauramii', I came upon a lot labelled 'Shakesperian actors', and dated Stratford (on Avon) 29 April 1864. Three people already bidding on it ... do they know?  The pair pictured here never trod a stage in their lives.



1864 was the occasion of the Shakespeare 'tercentenary' and all sorts of social festivities were held at Stratford to mark the anniversary.

Of course, there were performances of the plays


But columns and columns in the press were devoted to the local gentry's social events which were attached to the occasion



If one trudges through the guest list for the fancy dress... there is Mr Unett  as Prince Hal ...

George Gwinnett UNETT Esq of Castell Froma, Lillington (b Handsworth 9 December 1844; d Lillington 4 April 1912) son of a landed gentleman. George never married. The lady is not his wife, but his mother, Elizabeth Frances Letitia Unett née Unett (1826-1910). 

So, no, not an actor.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255568901663?hash=item3b8117f61f:g:m6gAAOSw~F5inKJ0



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