Historic Illustrations of Theatre

Vintage illustrations depicting theatrical scenes and characters from classic literature, reflecting the artistry and humor of past performances and stories.

The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens, first published in the weekly serial Master Humphrey's Clock from 1840 to 1841 and then as its own book in 1841. Nell rode slowly through the town every morning, dispersing handbills from a basket. Mrs Jarley, the proprietor of a travelling waxworks show, has taken in Nell and her grandfather out of kindness; Nell works promoting the Jarleys waxworks show. Date: C.1850

Holmes reveals the reason for Effie Munro's suspicious behavior From "The Adventure of the Yellow Face" By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Published in Strand Magazine in 1893 Sidney Paget (1860-1908 English)

SCENE FROM 'DON CAESAR DE BAZAN,' AT THE PRINCESS' THEATRE

Election Sketches: jingoes rehearsing "Rule, Britannia", 1880. 'The humours and tricks of electioneering have for ages past afforded to the English satirist and caricaturist a favourite theme of comic delineation and of lively jocular remark...merely for the fun of the thing, regarding the General Election as a licensed popular Saturnalia, have our Artists taken the liberty to exercise their graphic fancy upon a variety of subjects of this kind. Some of their sketches, indeed, are taken from actual observation in a metropolitan borough, and are given without prejudice...In this Gener

English novelist Charles Dickens published "The Pickwick Papers" in 10 installments, with Hablot Browne the illustrator.

David Copperfield, 'I am presented to Mrs. Micawber'

Dr Lanyon opens his door at midnight to a small man in clothes too big for him: Mr Hyde., From The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, The novella written by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published 1886, Illustration by Edmund J. Sullivan (1866-1933/English)

'One of the Protector's Tea Parties', 1897. Creator: John Leech.

'A Practical Joke. Deposition of Richard II', c1860, (c1860). Artist: John Leech.

At the box office of the Alexandrinsky Theater in St. Petersburg. Mid 19th century.

The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens, first published in the weekly serial Master Humphrey's Clock from 1840 to 1841 and then as its own book in 1841. Nell rode slowly through the town every morning, dispersing handbills from a basket. Mrs Jarley, the proprietor of a travelling waxworks show, has taken in Nell and her grandfather out of kindness; Nell works promoting the Jarleys waxworks show. Date: C.1850

A cartoon depicting John Bull and Mr Punch weighing Prime Minister Palmerston, and finding him too lightweight for his job. Dated 19th century

Playing billiards. Illustration from 'Vanity Fair' London, 1883, by Thackeray.

Cartoon titled 'The Fate of the Sunday Excursionist in the face of Sunday closing'. Dated 19th century

THE TICHBORNE CASE IN PARIS, FRANCE, 1875, SCENES FROM "L'AFFAIRE COVERLEY" AT THE THEATRE DE L'AMBIGU COMIQUE: 1. Act II. On Board the "Bella" Arthur Gordon Murders Sir Roger Coverley. 2. Act III. At the DiggingsRoger's Wife Accuses Him of His Intention to Desert Her. 3. Act IV. Arrival of Ned Gordon with Arthur Gordon's Wife and Child at Mrs. Gordon's Lodgings. 4. Act V. Death of Ned Gordon. 5. Act VI. Death of Arthur Gordon.

Sketch from the New Drama of "Jessie Gray", at the Adelphi Theatre, London, 1850. '...the joint production of Mr. Robert Brough and Mr. Bridgman...Jessie Gray, who gives name to the piece (Madame Celeste), is the supposed daughter of an apothecary, who rejoices in the complimentary title of Dr. Gray (Mr. O'Smith), and who becomes beloved by the nephew of a haughty baronet...The former (Mr. Boyce) courts her in the disguise of an artist; the latter (Mr. Hughes), to wean the boy from Jessie, contrives a plot for the ruin of her fame... The Baronet succeeds in his object; but, to &quo

Robert Peel (1788-1850), Prime Minister, taking his final curtain call. His Repeal of Corn Laws passed on 25 June but same night was defeated on his Irish bill. Resigned 29 June. Figure struggling with policeman (a Peeler) at bottom left is Disraeli. Cartoon from Punch, London, 1846.

Sir Lester dedlock. Scene from Bleak House by Charles Dickens (London, 1852-1853) Satire novel on the iniquities of the Court of Chancery

Scene from "The Vicar of Wakefield", at the New Strand Theatre, London 1850. 'Mr. Tom Taylor has dramatised for this theatre the substantive story of Goldsmith's ever-delightful "Vicar of Wakefield;"...Mr Farren and Mrs. Glovor perform Dr. Primrose and his lady, so pompous, so pathetic. Olivia has fallen to the lot of Mrs. Stirling, who, acting it admirably throughout, gained a triumph at the end, when, as the returning penitent, she clasped her father's knees and wrestled for his pardon. Mr. and Mrs. Leigh Murray, as Burchell and Mrs. Skeggs, were telling; Mr. Norton, as

Bob Cratchet carries tiny Tim on his shoulders., From A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Audience at a lecture enjoying the effects of laughing gas (nitrous oxide). Illustration of 1834 by George Cruikshank .

'White-faced men shrieked with hoarse voices that they sold - everybody sold !' Date: 1897

'The Double Duel', 1844. Artist: Unknown

A cartoon depicting street urchins causing havoc in the crowd outside of a confectioner's and pastry cook's shop on Twelfth Night. Illustrated by George Cruikshank (1792-1878) a British caricaturist and book illustrator. Dated 19th century

SCENE FROM 'THE TAMING OF THE SHREW,' AT THE HAYMARKET THEATRE.

The bottle, by George Cruikshank; 'The husbands in a state of furious drunkeness, kills his wife'

A RIDING-LESSON AT SANGER'S CIRCUS

A cartoon depicting men betting on a dogfight. Illustrated by George Cruikshank (1792-1878) a British caricaturist and book illustrator. Dated 19th century

David Copperfield, -Somebody turns up

Dance caricatures Longitude & latitude of St. Petersburgh Cyprian's ball at the Argyle Rooms Full-dress party Charity ball, dancing for the million. Cruikshank, George, 1792-1878. Prints, Caricatures, Caricatures and cartoons. 1810 - 1859. Jerome Robbins Dance Division. Ballroom dancing , England , 19th century

Irish match-seller and street entertainer Thomas McConwick, the dancing ballad-singer on the west side of London. In hat with sprig of flowers, great coat, wide trousers, with shillelagh. Singing the Irish song "Sprig of shillelah and shamrock so green." Copperplate engraving drawn from life and engraved by John Thomas Smith from his own The Cries of London, or Vagabondiana 2, edited by Francis Douce, John Bowyer Nichols, London, 1839.

CINDERELLA, AT THE COVENT GARDEN THEATRE, LONDON, 1876, UK, britain, british, europe, united kingdom, great britain, european

Caricatural mirror. 61. / - Oh! In the eye! (IFF7) (registered title)

David Copperfield, 'Oh, thank you, Master Copperfield,' said Uriah Heep, 'For that remark! It is so true! Umble as I am, I know it is so true! Oh, thank you, Master Copperfield!'

Cartoon - Dead as Julius Caesar Rostap (1866-1949)

A Dangerous Spark - a man gets a shock when his gunpowder ignites unexpectedly Date: 1835

'THE BLACK ROBE' SCENE IN THE DRAWING-ROOM AT BOULOGNE, ROMAYNE KNOCKING DOWN THE GENERAL AT THE CARD TABLE

Xit, now Sir Narcissus le Grand, entertaining his friends on his wedding day, 1840.Artist: George Cruikshank

An over crowded theatre gallery filled with many drunken theatre-goers. Date: circa 1850

'Music at Home', 1872 (1891). Artist: George du Maurier

The Club. Cartoon from Punch, 1855.

'King James disposing of Baronetcies', 1897. Creator: John Leech.

The Orphans of Venice, Theatre de la gaite, 1869, France, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th century play, exact original date unknown, Europe

Bohemian musicians, woodcut from 1864

'Belles of the Bowling Alley - the Athletic Diversions of an Association of Dashing Damsels in their Club Rooms in Chicago.' Date: 1878

SCENE FROM 'THE CASTLES OF THE SEVEN PASSIONS,' AT THE LYCEUM THEATRE

music, satire, mother crying at the cradle of her child after attending a Wagner concert, caricature, by Cham (1819 - 1879), lithograph, from ""Le Charivari"", Paris, 1860,

SCENE FROM 'THE FAVOURITE OF FORTUNE,' AT THE HAYMARKET THEATRE, LONDON, UK, 1866

'The Great 100 Rat Match', 19th century(). Artist: Unknown

'Christmas in Rome : The Pifferari, or Calabrian Minstrels', 1854. From "Cassell's Illustrated Family Paper; London Weekly 31 Dec 1853 to 30 Dec 1854".

movie cinema sound cinema circa 1900,

Engraving of a musical evening in the saloon of the passenger liner, SS 'Scot', on passage from Britain to South Africa, 1892. Date: 1892

'Terence reading his Play to Caecilius', 1852. Artist: John Leech.

Reynaud's Projecting Zootrope, a very sophisticated device, but also, doomed to be made obsolete by the praxinoscope and even more so by the first cinematograph projects. Date: 1890

Bravuras Rival syrens or John-Bulls rehearsal of Capt. Macheath. British Cartoon Prints Collection , Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, no. 10792. John Bull (Symbolic character),1800-1810. , Opera singers,1800-1810.

Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night is performed in an inn yard. Date: circa 1600

Scene from Shakespeare's Othello, 19th century. Artist: Unknown

Cartoon depicting Father Christmas roller skating. Illustrated by John Tenniel (1820-1914) an English illustrator, graphic humourist and political cartoonist. Dated 19th century

An engraving depicting a musical evening. Illustrated by Mary Ellen Edwards (1838-1934) an English artist and illustrator of children's books. Dated 19th century

Madame,un billet de bal../Lith.v.Gavarni - -

Politicians in the Casino, Men, Historical, digitally restored reproduction of an original from the 19th century, exact original date unknown

Carnaval. Paul Gavarni (French, 1804-1866). Lithograph;

Politicians in the Casino, Men, Historical, digitally restored reproduction of an original from the 19th century, exact original date unknown

Mending a man cut into pieces, trick of the fairy tale Les Pilules du diable at the Chatelet theater in Paris, France. Old 19th century engraved illustration from La Nature 1890

Chatelar Playing the Lute to Mary Queen of Scots, 1560s, (1860). Artist: JC Armytage

The Pic-Nic Orchestra. James Gillray cartoon of 1802

A charge of April 1st. (IT)

Storyboard showing rich Victorians entertaining guests for Christmas dinner, while the cooks out of the kitchen the turkeys been swiftly stolen out of the window and pleasantly received at their table. Date: 1870

Engraving showing three theatre-goers heading for their seats, in the stalls, at the Empire Theatre, 1894. All these people are depicted wearing formal, evening attire for their trip to the theatre. This image may have been made at the famous Hackney Empire. Date: 3 November 1894

Engraving of a scene from the play, 'False Shame', at the Globe Theatre, London, 1872. Date: 1872

Cartoon on the Ministers F.A. van Hall and L.N. van der Goes van Dirxland, 1861, 1861 print Cartoon on the minister F.A. Van Hall as Pierrot who jokes Louis Napoleon van der Goes of Dirxland as a Foreign Minister. Plaat appeared at the Weekblad De Nederlandsche Spectator, no. 6, 9 February 1861. print maker: Netherlandsprinter: Netherlandspublisher: Arnhempublisher: The Hague paper Carnival, Shrovetide (non-liturgical celebration). 'commedia dell'arte'

Making the Rounds -- two men dancing with a lizard in human clothing. Date: circa 1890s

American Wild West saloon, showing a group of men playing cards 1849

A Pictorial: the Last Syllables, 1864. Christmas entertainment. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.

Popular theatre in Spain in the 19th century, Historical, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original, exact date unknown

THE STORY OF SWORDSMANSHIP, BY CAPTAIN EGERTON CASTLE, AT THE LYCEUM THEATRE

The first shot has been followed by several others the auditorium was quickly evacuated, vintage engraving. The first shot has been followed by several others the auditorium was quickly evacuated, vintage engraved illustration. Journal des Voyage, Travel Journal, 1880-81. Copyright: xZoonar.com/PatrickxGuenettex 10657268

The Return of Sherlock Holmes, The Adventure of Black Peter, Sherlock Holmes story by Arthur Conan Doyle. "He sank down upon the sea-chest, and looked helplessly from one of us to the other." Watson and Holmes and an apprehended man. Date: 1904

THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Holmes shook his head gravely" Date: First published 1892

The juvenile fancy dress ball in 1891, watching the cotillon; after supper coming down the stairs; supper time; happiness; joy; straw hat; happiness; joy; cheerful; joyful; joyous; merry; paradise; cheery; rosy; hop; mingle; reception; bal costume; laughter; fun; enjoyment; delight; entertaining; fancy dess;

Don Jumpedo in the character of Harlequin jumping down his own throat T. F.. British Cartoon Prints Collection .

Two men in elaborate costume, one representing 1549 with a sword and chains on his shoes and the other of 1819 with a cane and spurs on his boots. Coloured etching.

Cocambo took me to the opera. (Title Title) | These good little women. (Factitious title)

Mr Hyde letting himself in after his night's adventures to take the antidote and to resume the character of Dr Jekyll., From The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, The novella written by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published 1886, Illustration by Edmund J. Sullivan (1866-1933/English)

A MAN'S SHADOW AT THE HAYMARKET THEATRE, ACT IV, THE SCENE IN THE AUBERGE, LONDON, UK, 1889: Mrs. Beerbohm Tree as Henriette Laroque, Mr. Beerbohm Tree as Lucien Laroque, Miss Julia Neilson as Julie de Noirville.

Matty meeting the Texas question | Library of Congress

Peace, but not Business - Uncle Sam - Darned if I ain't left again! I'm overstocked, I've got all the blessings of a high tariff. Political Cartoon 1885

Scenes from the first production at the Teatro Costanzi, Rome : the story is from a French novel by Erckmann-Chatrian Date: first performed 1891

David Copperfield and Uriah Heep, 1912. Artist: Frederick Barnard

Der kleine Haushund stört die Hausmusik, und die Bäuerin möchte ihn gerne vertreiben, 1880, Deutschland, Historisch, digitale Reproduktion einer Origi...

Scene from the Ballet of "La Bresilienne" at the Royal Italian Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 1858. 'This pretty little ballet...has sustained its character well throughout the greater part of this season. The ballet of "La Bresilienne" is not quite new, having been brought out in the latter part of the season previous to this; but a charm has been given to it by the graceful dancing of Mdlle. Zina Richard, who made her first appearance in London this season. Her attitudes are truly elegant, blended with such lightness as almost to astonish the spectator. In her char

After the Performance, Charles Dana Gibson

Illustration showing Queen Victoria and her children saying farewell to the Guards regiments as they set out for the Baltic, and throwing them a slipper for luck. John Leech cartoon from Punch, 1854, the day before the treaty of alliance between Britain, France and Turkey against Russia was signed, and the day on which Victoria reviewed the Baltic Fleet.

The huge profit of the aristocratic idea in the Komische Oper - and the Viennese theater directors,

In the cabaret. A clip from a German magazine. Destruct unknown

The gig shop or kicking up a breeze at Nell Hammiltons hop Rowlandson, del.. British Cartoon Prints Collection .

Four men and a woman in the audience of a theatre, seated in the front box above the orchestra. Lithograph after Grenier.

Weekly chronicle, Weekly chronicle, underneath, Franz Liszt plays on a real Ludwig Bösendorfer from humorous leaves , Karl Klic -, Caricaturist

A Chorus of Singers; or the Oratorio William Hogarth (British, 1697-1764). , 1732. Engraving, 6 7/8 x 6 3/8 in. (17.5 x 16.2 cm). European Art 1732

A scene from the comedy Erasmus Montanus, by Holberg

Conductor, various movements while conducting an orchestra, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original, exact original date ...

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