Stage Actor JOHN GIBBS GILBERT School For Scandal Play, 1877 Art Print Engraving

Description: JOHN GILBERT Artist: Sarony _________________ Engraver: Buttre IMAGE IS MUCH SHARPER AND CLEARER THAN SCAN SHOWS !! A HIGH QUALITY STEEL ENGRAVING BOOKPLATE FROM THE 1880'S!! PERFECT FOR FRAMING AS AN ART PRINT FOR YOUR DEN !! VERY ANTIQUE & OLD WORLD LOOKING. ITEM(s) OVER 115 YEARS OLD!! ON the evening of November 28, 1828, John Gilbert made his de but as an actor, at the age of eighteen, in the Tremont Theatre, Boston, his native city. When a very young man his predilections for the stage were regarded with horror by his relatives, and every obstacle was placed in the way of the gratification of his ambition, which, like that of a great many comedians, lay in the direction of tragedy. But, in spite of all difficulties, the opposition of his relatives and a Puritan community—for in those days the stage was not highly honored in New England—and the extraordinary precautions which were then taken by theatrical managers to discourage incompetent or untried aspirants for histrionic honors, John Gilbert obtained a private hearing before a tribunal of theatrical judges, and was by them accepted as worthy of the privilege of a public appearance. Ills debut was made without the knowledge of his friends, in " Venice Preserved," his name being kept secret, the announcement being made on the bills that the part of Jaffier would be undertaken by a " young gentleman." He achieved instantaneous success. The once celebrated Mrs. Duff was the " Belvidera." On his second appearance as " Sir Edward Mortimer " in " The Iron Chest " his name was divulged, and he was accepted as a member of the Tremont Company, playing the part of Shylock and other tragical roles, with more or less success, for about a year. Leaving Boston, Mr. Gilbert spent the next five or six years in gaining that knowledge of the stage and of his own capabilities which only a rough experience can teach. He travelled South and West, winning a good reputation in New Orleans, and suffering many vicissitudes of fortune in other places. On his journey he discovered that tragedy was not his forte, and that the personation of old men was. This discovery changed the whole course of his career, and almost immediately raised him from the condition of an impecunious tragedian to that of a successful comedian. In 1834 he made his first great success in his new line of business in the same theatre in which he made his debut, appearing as " Old Dornton " in the "Road to Ruin." Mr. Gilbert's New York debut was effected in 1839, at the Bowery Theatre, then under Hamblin's management, as Sir Edward Mortimer. Returning to Boston, he became stage manager of the New Federal Street Theatre. In 1845-6 Mr. Gilbert appeared at the Princess's Theatre, London, England, under engagement to Mr. Maddox, the predecessor of Charles Kean. He first appeared as Sir Robert Bramble in "The Poor Gentleman," being very successful in this and many other parts. During his sojourn in London, Mr. Gilbert enjoyed the personal friendship and society of the leading actors of that day—Compton, Wigan, Charles Mathews, Buckstone, Macready, Phelps, Mr. and Mrs. C. Kean, Wallack, Sr., John Vandenhoff, Creswick, Mrs. Kisbet, Mrs. Glover, Mme. Vestria, and a host of others. Returning to America, he appeared at the Park Theatre, New York, as " Sir Anthony Absolute," where he remained until its destruction by fire in December, 1848. Subsequently he was at the old Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, and also at the Arch. At the opening of the New Boston Theatre Mr. Gilbert recited the address and acted " Sir Anthony Absolute." In 1862 he joined Wallack's Theatre, New York. The fiftieth anniversary of his first appearance on the stage was celebrated by a testimonial dinner, at the Lotus Club, and the completion of half a century of arduous professional labor found fitting commemoration in the benefit performance tendered him at Wallaces Theatre, December 5,1878. Among his many successful impersonations special mention may be made of Sir Peter Teazle, Lord Ogleby, Sir Anthony Absolute, OM Dornton, Hardcastle, Jesse Rural, Sir Robert Bramble, Justice Wood-cock, Sir Francis Gripe, and Job Thornberry; and in Shakspeare, Sir John Falstaff, Dogberry, Malvolio, Polonius, Bottom and Caliban. Of the last-named part, a Boston critic said: " We are indebted for an interpretation of the character of Caliban which we think Shakspeare himself would have acknowledged as a correct embodiment of his own imaginings. We confess we never entirely understood this non- descript monster until Mr. Gilbert showed us exactly what the great poet meant." Mr. Gilbert was the early companion of Charlotte Cushman, they having been born in adjoining houses in Boston, and have frequently acted together. All lovers of the stage will hold in grateful remembrance Mr. Gilbert's honest and indefatigable labors in behalf of the legitimate drama. In his line of business he is without a rival. To the theatre-going public of New York. especially frequenters of Wallack's, his name has become a household word. SIZE: Image size in inches is 5 1/2" x 7", overall page size is 6 1/2 " x 9 1/2". CONDITION: Condition is good. Light age toning. Nothing on reverse. SHIPPING: Buyers to pay shipping/handling, domestic orders receives priority mail, international orders receive regular mail. We pack properly to protect your item! An engraving is an intaglio process of printing, with the design to be produced is cut below the surface of the plate (made of copper, steel or wood), and the incised lines are filled with ink that is then transferred to paper. The portraits on our currency are good examples of engraved images. A Photogravure is an intaglio process in which the plate is produced photographically. Please note: the terms used in our auctions for engraving, heliogravure, lithograph, line drawing, photogravure etc. are ALL images on paper. THIS IS AN ACTUAL STEEL ENGRAVING FROM THE 1870's! NOT A REPRODUCTION!

Price: 10.65 USD

Location: New Providence, New Jersey

End Time: 2025-01-17T21:25:13.000Z

Shipping Cost: 7.95 USD