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Gilbert and Sullivan

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Many items have been photographed or scanned. These images are available through our Gilbert & Sullivan Image Gallery, or they can be viewed directly from links in the descriptions below.

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Also see the pages of

Books and Printed Works   and    Programs

as well as the

Kenneth Sandford Archives


On this page you will find

Red dotGeneral Ephemera
Red dotArtifacts
Red dotLetters, Autographs, etc.
Red dotCigarette Cards
Red dotPhotographs
     White dotProduction Photos, Early 1960s
     White dotPhotographic Postcards
Red dotD'Oyly Carte Opera Company Ephemera
     White dotD'Oyly Carte Company Costumes

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SquareGeneral EphemeraSquare

G-3611
[Advertising]. J. & P. Coats Best Six Cord Cotton. Three Patience character motif advertising cards, each with quotation. 4½" x 2½" light card stock with full colour illustrated recto, and b/w text on verso advertising the thread. Sold seperately.

a) Lady Jane with cello: "Stouter than I used to be ..." Corner faintly creased; near fine.
b) Colonel Calverley in uniform: "When I first put this uniform on." Faint mark near lettering; near fine.
c) Archibald Grosvenor in æsthetic dress: "Conceive me if you can ..." Fresh and clean. Fine.
$2 each

G-3612
[Advertising]. Sapoli-o-lic" Selections— from H.M.S. Pinafore". New York: Enoch Morgan Sons Co., [1879]. [First issue?*]. Eight parody "Rymes from ye Playe of Pynafore" (rear cover), written anonymously by Bret Harte**, each extolling the virtues of Sapolio Polishing and Cleansing Soaps, from "We sail the ocean blue ..." to "Oh, joy, oh, rapture unforeseen ...". 16 pp. sewn booklet, measuring 5" x 3½", with pictorial (H.M.S. Pinafore) paper covers printed in black and pale-green; a touch age-toned, yet clean and fresh. A fine copy.
* Other copies we've handled, and most cited on the web, are titled "E.M.S. Pinafore" (for Enoch Morgan Sons), and measure just over 3¼" wide. World Cat dates the "H.M.S." issue as 1879, and the other as either 1881 or 1891.
** cf. Carolyn Williams's Gilbert and Sullivan: Gender, Genre, Parody, p.366
$75

G-2930
[Advertising - theatrical]. Prince of Wales Theatre, Birmingham. Programme dated March 31, 1884 for The Three Hats!, 4 p. folder with large ad for "Mr. R. D'Oyly Carte's Comedy=Opera Company in Patience", starting April 7th. 4 pp. folder printed in black; large brown stain to lower half throughout, affecting "P" of "Patience" in ad; horizontal creases; a couple short closed edge tears and corner creases. Very good.
$5

G-3613
[Advertising - theatrical]. Sadler's Wells ... Season, 1936-37. Programme for The Magic Flute, with ½ p. ad for the D'Oyly Carte's 1937 Summer Season at the Theatre, "Commencing MONDAY, MAY 31st, 1937 ...", naming the season cast and prices. 8 pp. stapled booklet with creamy-yellow pictorial (the theatre) wrappers; cross folds and rupled; staples rusting; dusty. Very good..
$2

Trial by Jury in India !

G-2931
[Certificate]. A Vote of Thanks, Royal Alfred Sailors' Home [Bombay], for participation in a fundraiser, to Miss Gresley, A Bridesmaid in "Trial by Jury", March 1884. Elaborate cream light card folder printed gilt, red and blue , with the Home's arms embossed and fully hand-coloured at top of inside panel. Faintly and evenly spotted; dusty; 1/2" split at lower spine. Near fine.
"Excerpt from the Minutes of a Meeting of the Board of Directors ..." expressing thanks to the participant in a fundraising entertainment at Bombay's Gaiety Theatre on March 12, 1884.
Signed by Henry Morland, President of the Bombay Sailors' Home Society; officer of the Indian Navy and later, as Sir Henry Morland, Chairman of the Corporation of Bombay.
$95

G-3614
[Handbill]. Sir Arthur Sullivan. Book by Percy M. Young, to be published by J.M. Dent & Sons on 4 November 1971. 2 pp. glossy cream flyer printed in reddish-brown, horizontal fold, otherwise crisp and clean. Near fine.
$5

G-3616
[Handbill]. Sasha Regan's All Male The Pirates of Penzance. Spring 2015 UK Tour. "A Regan De Wynter Production in association with Hilary A. Williams". Two sided, heavy paper, full-colour photo-pictorial A5 sheet, advertising the return tour schedule; fresh and clean; fine.
$2

G-3617
[Libretto]. Words of the Songs and Choruses of The Little Tycoon. "An Original American-Japanese Comic Opera." [Philadelphia]: Willard Spenser, 1886. [First edition]. Stapled booklet, with original brick-brown wrappers, decoratively printed in black; a little dusty with a few stray marks; spine split and chipped 2" at bottom and a touch chipped at top; a couple tiny edge tears; rear top corner creased. Internally toned, with a hint of "thumbing" and a couple small spots. Very good.
Created and copyrighted in 1882, and the score first published in that year, The Little Tycoon had the misfortune to be first produced in 1885 as The Mikado was in full swing in London and a New York debut was imminent. Popular in Philadelphia, its move to New York was not a success, largely because of this timing, but it continued to be performed by professional and amateur groups for many years to come.
$45

G-3618
[Magazine]. The Gilbert & Sullivan Operas Illustrated: Season 1939. London: "The Sphere", 1939. "With 8-page section in colour, and numerous pages in photogravure ... by arrangement with the Rupert D'Oyly Carte Opera Company"; 40 pp. of spectacular b/w and sepia photos covering that season's 10 operas, colour section with set and costume designs and coloured photos; 1 pp. essay, "The Wonders of the Gilbert & Sullivan Operas"; G&S related ads on inside and rear covers. Large format, in original putty-grey pictorial (Ko-ko and Katisha) wrappers printed in dark blue and red; lightly toned around the edges, with almost invisible vertical folds (not even noticed until it was scanned!); upper corner bumped, lower one faintly creased; one short closed edge tear; ink name and address at top front corner. Internally nice and clean, with only minor creasing at lower corner. Near fine.
$30

G-3709
[Newspaper/Magazine excerpt]. "The Gilbert and Sullivan Operas at the Princes Theatre ...". 4 pp. b/w and colour section from The Sphere, October 25, 1919; includes full-colour 12¼" x 16¼" centre spread "The Wonderful Procession of Characters from the Gilbert and Sullivan Operas, From a drawing in colour by H. M. Brock", with key on last page, and Ugo Matania drawing "'The Gondoliers,' Act I. - The Duke's Daughter Alights" on front. Trimmed at edges, barely shaving the running head; old-style paper tape along outer spine, with resultant stiffening; touch of toning; a bit of rubbing and old staple holes affecting the inner joint across parade image. Overall, a very good copy, with a larger than usually seen parade image; very framable!
$25

G-3710
[Newspaper/Magazine excerpt]. "London Sees the Colour Film of 'The Mikado'". 3 pp. (of 4 pp.) colour section from The Sphere, January 14, 1939*, illustrating scenes from the Mikado film. Pages a touch age toned; cloth tape across outer spine, affecting only the date on non-G&S ad page on verso. But for the tape, near fine.
* "A Special Section of 'The Sphere' Showing Episodes From the Screen Version of the Famous Gilbert and Sullivan Opera". Includes photos of Martyn Green and Elizabeth Nickell-Lean, credited as Elizabeth Paynter.
$12

G-3711
[Newspaper/Magazine excerpt]. "London's Gilbert and Sullivan Season". 5 pp. (of 8 pp.`) sepia-toned b/w section from The Sphere, July 9, 1938*; with photographs illustrating Iolanthe and Pinafore. Very slight marginal foxing and a hint of dusting to front fore-edge; lower corner lightly creased. Fine.
* "A Special Section of 'The Sphere' Containing Further Pictures Taken at the Scala Theatre Where the D'Oyly Carte Company Is Presenting the Ever-Popular Savoy Operas".
$12

G-3619
[Newspaper/Magazine excerpt]. "The Sultan of Mocha. Comic Opera, in three acts, by Alfred Cellier ..." 2 pp. review by Cecil Howard of production at the Strand Theatre, in the "Our Play-Box" section of The Theatre, November 1, 1887. 2 pp. with one rough edge where removed. Fine.
$2

G-2932
[Portraits - Drawing (photo)]. Charles Gould as Marco, Act II. Profile, head and shoulders, b/w; 8" x 6" photographic print of drawing by Vera Mulholland (daughter of J.B. Mulholland, manager of King's Theatre, Hammersmith, and Wimbledon Theatre); Fine.
$5

G-3622
[Portraits - Photographs]. [Group of three reproduction photos from the 1924 London Season Souvenir]. Images of Leo Sheffield as Don Alhambra, Charles Goulding as Hilarion and Sydney Granville as Strephon, each 6½ x 4¾, with facsimile signature. Slight silvering at edges, otherwise fine.
$5

G-2953
[Post Cards]. Pierpont Morgan Library. Group of four photographic postcards from items in the Library's collections; three b/w, the last in colour. Unused; fine. They are:
H.M.S. Pinafore b/w version of colour lithograph poster.
The Pirates of Penzance page from manuscript score.
Sir Arthur Sullivan by Charles Dana Gibson; detail from Punch cartoon.
The Pirates of Penzance Lancers colour lithograph sheet music cover.
$5

G-2954
[Post cards]. The Yeomen of the Guard, "Six 'Oilettes' of the Original Oil Paintings ..."; 3 only (of 6) of Tuck's series no.9221, [n.d.], showing full-colour Beefeaters in state dress, with original printed kraft paper envelope. Post cards fine; very good envelope split at seams and age-toned, but complete.
$5

G-3623
[Poster]. Requiem Mass, Mozart. Trinity College Chapel, Friday, August 10th [19xx] Featuring Muriel Harding as one of the soloists. Blue on cream 11" x 17" poster; cross folds; a couple minor closed edge tears; light corner creasing. Near fine.
$2

G-2957
[Principal's PR flyer]. Donald Adams. [ca.1980] Unfolded 4 pp. booklet, with photo of Adams on front, professional history, accomplishments and reviews inside, with update through 1985 glued down on last page over "Recent Stage Performances"; minor creasing; a touch soiled near glueing. Very good.
$2

G-2958
[Programme]. Betsy, by F.C. Burnand. Sept. 20th, 1880. Criterion Theatre. "360th Performance of Betsy ... The New Comedy, in Three Acts adapted from the French of MM. Hennequin and Najac ..." Together with Jilted! by Alfred Maltby. Cast includes Lottie Venn (Plaintiff in the 1877 revival of Trial) as Betsy . 4 pp. decorative newsprint folder printed in black, with figures from the plays on front and in margins; Rimmel perfume ad on verso; cross folds; p.3 dusty. Near fine.
$30

G-3625
[Programme]. The Gilbert & Sullivan Operas. C-I-L Opera House of the Air ... Season 1931-32. Season programme booklet for the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) programme, sponsored by the Canadian Industries Limited corporation; producing all thirteen Savoy operas, each sponsored by a different division of the corporation ("Explosives Division" -- unfortunately not Utopia, "Ammonia Section", "Dyestuffs Division", etc.); with Savoyard soloist Sybil Gordon in the cast, together with performers from "the Benson Company in Shakespearean plays, and with the Carl Rosa Company ...". Illustrated with b/w photographs (G&S, the producer, and C.I.L President) and drawings (three per opera). 36 pp. buff paper stapled booklet printed in black and decorated and illustrated in reddish-purple, plus now-detached decorated grey-tan wrappers; folded map of company locations tipped inside rear cover. Wrappers now much soiled, marked, edge-worn and mostly separated along spine; large red pencil marks on front; stain to upper right corner, ¾" rear corner lacking. Stain extends to title page and ⅛" along upper edge of other leaves; a couple neat pencilled dates; contents otherwise clean and tight.
Together with:
[Auto-pen ?] signed typed cover letter on company letterhead, from C.I.L President Arthur B. Purvis to G&S fan, enclosing the booklet; dusty and spotted; horizontal fold. Both pieces very good. Together ...
$25

"... it is in accordance with the practice at the Court of St. James's Hall."

G-3626
[Programme]. Moore & Burgess [Minstrels]. St. James's Hall, Piccadilly [London] Programme for show by the Hall's resident minstrel group (one of the troupes known as the Christy Minstrels), dated October 29th 1886. 4 pp. large format plain-paper folder with wonderful - and VERY un-PC - pictorial (stock minstrel figures) wrappers; lightly foxed; remnant of glue line along fold on rear panel; very minor edge chips and tears. Near fine.
NB: The Moore and Burgess Minstrels are the "St. James's Hall" troupe deliberately parodied by Gilbert in Utopia ("... in which the celebrated English tenor, Mr. Wilkinson, burlesques your personal appearance ...")
$45

G-3627
[Programme]. Sullivan & Gilbert. St Lawrence Centre for the Arts, Toronto. From 23 June 1988. Starring Fritz Weaver and Noel Harrison; written by Ken Ludwig, directed by Leon Major. 20 pp. stapled booklet, plus b/w pictorial (Sullivan and Gilbert postering the title) wrappers; a touch rumpled and lightly toned; overall, near fine.
$12

G-2965
[Programme - commemorative]. Gilbert & Sullivan Centenary Service. St Paul's Church, Covent Garden, Monday 24th March 1975. Programme includes several Sullivan Hymns, "Hail Poetry" from Pirates, an address by Bishop Robert Stopford (Chairman of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Trust) and reading by Frederic Lloyd; soloist Meston Reid, with D'Oyly Carte choir. Light card folder, simply printed in black; a touch age-toned, especially at edges; small rust stain at bottom front near fold; stains to rear (2.5" x 0.5"), over scuffed area, affecting chorus of "Onward Christian Soldiers". Very good.
Note: "W.S. Gilbert was baptised in this church on 11 January 1837."
$5

G-2967
[Stamps]. Royal Mail Gilbert & Sullivan Mint Stamps. Five stamps in protective cover, with attractive descriptive colour pictorial folder, in clear plastic sleeve. Fine. Issued to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Arthur Sullivan.
$10

" ... In Parliamentary trains."

G-3628
[Tickets - Parliamentary Train]. Single Journey Ticket. Counterfoil ... Third Class (Parliamentary). London & North Western Railway. Four railway ticket counterfoils (the filled in stubs for the ticket retained by the station master), dated May 23d, 1894*, on a Parliamentary Train** (as mentioned in the Mikado's song). The four, numbered 479-482, are still connected along the spine, where once stapled, though staples lacking; tickets removed along fore-edge perforations, with small stub still present at top; a touch toned; completed, priced and initialed by the booking clerk. Near fine.
* For a voyage from Chapel-en-le-Frith to Royton (on the Lancashire & Yorkshire lines), via Oldham.
** The Railway Regulation Act of 1844 specified that each rail line had to ensure that every day there would be one train in each direction that stopped at each and every station on the line. These long, tedious, 12 mph runs were known as Parliamentary trains which, though inexpensive and therefore available to the masses, were to be avoided if at all possible in favour of faster trips.
$125

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G-2971
The D'Oyly Carte Plate, by Spode "... to celebrate the centenary of W.S. Gilbert, Arthur Sullivan and Richard D'Oyly Carte." (cf. flyer). White bone china plate, decorated with blue, green and beige figures from each G&S opera (except Thespis), each accompanied by its year of production; also with the Savoy arms and G&S monogram, and gold rim; 11" diameter. In original paded Spode (Royal warrant as "Manufacturers of China") red and gilt box; together with the original advertising flyer. Plate and flyer fine; near fine box with unglued hinge ribbons and top a touch concave.
$175


G-2972
Wedgewood's Gilbert and Sullivan Operas mug, "Design sponsored by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, Savoy Theatre, London, England". Large white china mug, decorated with 16 b/w vignettes (one from each opera with characters in their original costumes - Ida, and first night list, on the bottom - plus reproductions of Gilbert, Sullivan and D'Oyly Carte's Vanity Fair caricatures); bordered in pink and blue on top and bottom, with beige banners around Gilbert and Sullivan. Fine, with no chips, marks or defects.
$100

G-2974
Gilbert and Sullivan playing cards, two decks (blue/lilac and rose/beige). Standard decks, but with three jokers (the spare joker is an explanation of the deck); face cards are "seventeen characters from the much loved operas ..."* As new and still shrink wrapped, as issued.
* "Artist Don Jack has faithfully recreated these familiar-looking figures from several sources. Programme covers, posters and cigarette cards by the illustrator H.M. Brock (1875-1960) were his main inspiration."
$25 the pair

SquareLetters, Autographs, etc.Square

Some signed or inscribed items may be included in other parts of this list.
Check through the following sections:
Books,
Photographs and Photographic postcards


G-3629
[Autograph letter signed]. Rutland Barrington. [London], "Tuesday" [n.d.], to "My dear Herbert" [William Herbert ?]. Possibly a letter asking Herbert to take a reduced fee for a role*. 1 p. on "Rutland House" stationery; horizontal fold; crease and short closed tear at top edge. Very good.

"I am bearing the expenses of this show myself and find them mounting up somewhat alarmingly!
Cant [sic] you make it a little less? — entirely between ourselves."


* In 1888 Barrington became actor-manager at the St. James's Theatre, but lost his backer almost immediately and, therefore, had to take on all financial risks himself. After the failure of the first production, The Dean's Daughter, he turned to Gilbert's Brantinghame Hall which stared Gilbert's protegée Julia Nielsen and, among others, William Herbert. He had to cover all costs of the production from his own resources. The spectacular failure of this second piece - it ran for only five weeks - sent Barrington into bankruptcy.
$125

G-3630
[Typed letter signed]. Bridget D'Oyly Carte. London, 11th December, 1957, to Miss Barbara Booker. On D'Oyly Carte Opera Company letterhead. In response to a fan letter, signed in characteristic aqua-blue ink.
Together with:
Envelope with Christmas postmark and "Compliments and Thanks" printed slip.
"... It is always very nice to get such appreciative letters, especially from people who have known the Operas for a long while ..."
Letter with horizontal fold; slip with faint vertical fold; small pencilled not on verso of envelope. Envelope near fine, others fine. $30

G-2977
[Autograph sentiments]. [Bridget D'Oyly Carte]. On "Miss Bridget D'Oyly Carte" visiting cards. Black engraved script on white or cream cards, sentiment hand-written in coloured ink. Not signed. Sold separately, as follows:
a. "With my good wishes for Christmas & the New Year 1964-65" in light blue; 3.75" x 2.5". Minor age-toning; lightly dusty. Near fine. $5
b. "With all my best wishes 1969-1970" in red; 2" x 3". Light age-toning. Fine. $5
c. "With all my best wishes for Christmas & the New Year 1971-1972" in green; 3.75" x 2.5". Fine. $5
d. "With all my good wishes for Christmas & the New Year. 1973-1974" in brown; 3.75" x 2.5". Fine. $5
e. "With my best wishes We shall miss you - get well soon." in brown; 3.75" x 2.5". Hint of smudging to "y" of "you". Fine. $5

G-2978
[Autograph signatures]. Bridget D'Oyly Carte. Signatures, some dated, some with sentiments, on her private Christmas cards. Sold separately, as follows:
a. Postcard format abstract design; "With all my good wishes for Christmas and New Year 1966-1967", written and signed in black. Light age-toning. Fine. $15
b. "Angel trumpeters", signed in black, 1969-1970. Light age-toning. Fine. $15
c. "British wild life" in snow, signed on verso in red, 1970-1971. Fine. SOLD
d. "Himalayan Blue Primula" (greeting card), signed in purple, 1971-1972. Fine. SOLD

G-2979
[Signature with sentiment]. Isidore Godfrey. 1 p.
Yours faithfully,
Isidore Godfrey.
Small slip, possibly clipped from letter or album leaf; horizontal crease through signature, otherwise nice and clean. Near fine.
$10

G-2980
[Autograph signatures]. Charles Goulding. Six Christmas cards, sent to Vera Mulholland (daughter of J.B. Mulholland, manager of King's Theatre, Hammersmith, and Wimbledon Theatre); four simply signed "Charles", two "With love from Charles". In unrelated envelope with ink notation "Charles Goulding Xmas cds. to Vera". Cards all fine.
$15

[Autograph letter signed]. Henry Lytton, 20 Feb 1913, to "I. Watson, Esq."; Sheffield, 1 p.

SquareCigarette CardsSquare

Originally used as stiffeners for cigarette packs, these cards became collectibles once manufacturers began printing images on them, and issuing subject groups. In the 1920s, John Player & Sons created these sets with illustrations by H.M. Brock, who had earlier designed posters for the D'Oyly Carte. Each card illustrates a prinpcipal character from a G& S opera, with a role description on verso.


G-2989
John Player & Sons, December 1925. A Series of 50 small size [cards]. Illustrated by H.M. Brock. Green backs. Near fine; two cards creased, two scuffed.
$80


G-2990
John Player & Sons, April 1926. A Series of 25 extra-large size [cards]. Illustrated by H.M. Brock. Green backs. Fine.
$120

G-2991
John Player & Sons, December 1927. A 2nd Series of 50 small size [cards]. Illustrated by H.M. Brock. Green backs. Fine.
$80

G-2992
John Player & Sons, January 1928. A 2nd Series of 25 large size [cards]. "From originals by H.M. Brock". Green backs. Fine.
$100

SquarePhotographsSquare

Unless otherwise noted, all photos are of members of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. Some are difficult to identify accurately, because they are quite long-range and faces are hard to see clearly; we've done our best to be accurate.
Most are near fine or better, may be curling (as usual), and are measured to the nearest half inch.
Images from The Theatre are disbound from issues of that magazine, and consequently have one rough edge.


G-2995
Donald Adams. In street clothes; 4.5" x 3.5" b/w head and shoulders. Signed, in white margin. "Oscar Mellor ... Oxford" stamp on verso; light smudging of signature; lower corner a bit soiled.
$10


G-3632
Donald Adams. Three PR photos, one from the D'oyly Carte years, two later including one used for Gilbert and Sullivan for All publicity; Two 8" x 10", one 3.5" x 5" all b/w professional photos, laer ones marked "Denman Repros ..." in margin, smaller with "Yorkshire Post ..." copyright stamp on verso. All fine.
$10

G-3005
Canadian Tour, 1927, Shipboard Cast Photo. Modern 10" x 8" reproduction, taken from an original 3" x 5" sepia image, showing the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company on board ship.
Included is a photocopied blow-up of the verso of the original photo, identifying the individuals therein. A sharp eye for handwriting and faces, and some familiarity with the nicknames used for various individuals will help. We think we've identified (most of them positively) the following: David Hutchinson, Herbert Aitken, Richard Eaton, Doris Hemmingway, Patrick Colbert, Mollie Mennie, Henry Lytton, Martyn Green, Blossom Gelsthorpe, Darrell Fancourt, Joseph Griffin, Leo Sheffield, Bertha Lewis, Winifred Lawson, and Aileen Davies.
$20

G-3009
Aileen Davies. 21st birthday photo in black dress trimmed with lace, taken full face; 8" x 6" b/w head and shoulders studio pose; pencilled ID notation on verso. Minor edge silvering; some creasing and surface scuffing. Very good.
$20

G-3634
Aileen Davies. In street clothes; 11" x 8" b/w studio shot, head-and shoulders, full-face looking left. On rough-eged cardboard mount, no markings; some irregular silvering; a couple small "dings" or scratches. Near fine, with a delightfully teasing gaze.
$20

G-3635
W.S. Gilbert. Full face portrait; 4.5" x 3.5" sepia image from The Theatre. Mounted on decoratively bordered light card, with Pygmalion and Galatea quote "The individual who modelled you ..." printed on border; removed from magazine; with corner chips and usual light age-toning; image clean and sharp; small ink-stamped name and ms. number on verso. Near fine.
$25

G-3636
[----- Another copy]. This one trimmed to decorative border and name; corner bumped; faint spotting to image. As is, very good.
$10

G-2044
Gondoliers, Act I. Don Alhambra, with the brothers and their brides Muriel Dickson, Marjorie Eyre, Sydney Granville, Leslie Rands, and Charles Goulding, [early 1930s]; on set, in Ricketts costumes. 12" x 9" b/w; badly damaged, torn and creased.
$25

Myra Holme see Myra Holme Pinero
G-3033
Henry Arthur Jones (Victorian playwright, Gilbert's correspondent). Profile, upper body pose; 4.5" x 3.5" sepia photo by Barraud for The Theatre. Mounted on light card, decoratively bordered, captioned and with facsimile signature in reddish-brown. removed from magazine; a touch age-toned, with minor offsetting from facing pages.
$8

G-2051
Last Night 1982. Lorraine Daniels, in costume, on stage during the D'Oyly Carte's final performance, February 1982. 3.5 x 5.25 colour snapshot, 3/4 view.
$10

G-3637
Mikado, Act II, between 1926-34. Two images, in Ricketts costumes: Henry Lytton and Bertha Lewis; and Nellie Briarcliffe, Sydney Granville, Henry Lytton, Darell Fancourt and Bertha Lewis*; 8" x 6" and 6" x 8" respectively, b/w full-figure on stage. Verso with "Picture Post" and photographer "Edward H. Gooch" labels, and ink stamps with ms. notation "Sin/Oper/Mikado"; the latter also with pencilled printing notations*. Some curling; each with one creased corner; very minor surface rubbing or silvering. Near fine.
* This image was published in Rollins and Witts.
$35

G-2063
Mikado Movie 1967. Three images, Act I and Act II: Thomas Lawlor, Philip Potter and Kenneth Sandford, as Pish-tush, Nanki-Poo and Pooh-Bah; Kenneth Sandford, Peggy Ann Jones, Pauline Wales and Christine Palmer, as Pooh-Bah, and the Three Little Maids; and Kenneth Sandford, Peggy Ann Jones, John Reed and Christene Palmer, as Pooh-Bah, Pitti-Sing, Ko-Ko and Katisha. 10" x 7.5" b/w full figure images; all marked "KEN." on verso*. A touch faded and/or toned, with minor surface marks; one with creased corner. Very good to near fine.
* Because these are from Kenneth Sandford's collections, they presumably are so marked for him.
$25 the set

G-3639
[North American Tour, 1965] - Gondoliers. Jennifer Toye, John Reed, Gillian Knight and Philip Potter as the Plaza Toro family and "private drum"; 6.5" x 5" b/w full-figure on stage. Slight creasing; with "... The Telegram/Toronto ..." ink stamps on rear. Fine
$10

G-3640
[North American Tour, 1965] - Mikado. Philip Potter as Nanki-Poo; 6.5" x 5" b/w half-figure on stage. Slight creasing and minor surface scores; with "... The Telegram/Toronto ..." ink stamps on rear. Near fine.
$10

G-3067
Myra Holme Pinero (actress and wife of Gilbert's contemporary and fellow playwright, Arthur Wing Pinero). As Pygmalion in Pygmalion and Galatea; 4.5" x 3.5" sepia upper body photo by Charles A. Long for The Theatre. Mounted on light card, decoratively bordered and captioned ("While I'm away from thee, / There stands my only representative ..."), with facsimile signature, in black.
$10

G-3643
Pirates, Act I, chorister. Unidentified chorister in Pirates Act I costume; 3" x 3" b/w full-figure snapshot, taken backstage; flash "halo" effect around her; crease along centre, very good.
Because this came with a selection of images of Muriel Harding, we had previously assumed it was of her in an unknown costume. A recent discovery of an Omnibus film from 1955 shows this costume being worn by one of General Stanley's daughters (though not this performer). So, presumably this chorister was not with the company in 1955, but did overlap with Muriel Harding. Any idea who she is?
$5

G-2073
Pirates, Act I. General Stanley's Daughters, on set, dancing, [post 1972]; stamped ("Bob Johnson Fashion and Theatrical Photographer ... Northumberland"), with ms. notations and address label on verso. 10" x 8" b/w; minor edge creasing, with mounting pinholes to corners.
$8

G-2074
Pirates, Act I. General Stanley's Daughters and Pirates, on set, [post 1972]; stamped ("Bob Johnson ... Northumberland" and "... Bridget D'Oyly Carte ..."), with ms. notation and address label on verso. 10" x 8" b/w; tiny surface scuff at lower right; corners shallowly creased.
$8

G-2076
Pirates, Act II. General Stanley's Daughters and Police, on set; twice stamped (faint "Donald Southern ..." and "... Bridget D'Oyly Carte ...:), the second covered with Sandford's address label. 9.75" x 7.5", b/w; severely creased, a few faint surface smudges, and with several pin-holes at upper left; very good.
$5

G-3079
John Reed. In street clothes; 5" x 3.5" colour half length snapshot; signed by Reed on front, though signature best seen at an angle. Surface marred by squiggle (as though someone tried to get a pen to write). Because of the mark, very good.
$3

G-3647
Thomas Round. in street clothes; 6.5" x 4.5" colour half-length, side pose. A touch faded; with 'Kodachrome Enlargement" ink stamp on rear. Near fine.
$3

Kenneth Sandford. See the D'Oyly Carte photo section in the Kenneth Sandford Archives, includes images of Sandford in some of his most memorable roles, as well as candid shots of him and other Savoyards.
(Use back button to return here.)

[Three reproduction photos from the 1924 London Season Souvenir]. Images of Sheffield, Goulding and Granville.

White dot Production photos, Early 1960s  White dot

These are a collection of photographs taken in the early 1960s by photographer John Blomfield of Cheam in Surrey. All have the photographer's ink stamp and pencilled file number on verso and, though a bit curled, are in fine condition.
This seems to be the 1961-62 or 1962-63 season, so identifications have been made accordingly. Look carefully, because some photos are quite long-range and faces are difficult to ascertain; we've done our best to be accurate. Larger scans can be provided on request.


G-3650
Gondoliers, set #1. Four images: includes Thomas Round, Alan Styler, Jean Hindmarsh and Joyce Wright; 6.5" x 2.5" b/w full-figure (one head and shoulders), on stage (one full-stage). Fine.
$20

White dot Photographic Postcards  White dot

This section lists photographic postcards of D'Oyly Carte performers. All cards in near fine or better condition, except where indicated; signed cards noted.


G-3665
Rutland Barrington. as Pooh-Bah in Mikado. Postally used ("He reminds me of someone, doesn't he you?"). Light offsetting at centre right; minor corner bumping. Tuck "Celebrities of the Stage, #1044.
$30


G-3120
Aileen Davies. In street clothes (portrait taken on her 21st birthday); with crease across image. Parkslee #B30.
$5

G-3666
Beryl Dixon. as Melissa in Ida; Signed, blue ballpoint across image (best visible when held at angle). G&S Photos.
$25

G-3124
Clara Dow and Henry Lytton. As Phyllis and Strephon in Iolanthe. Tuck #T 1166.
$20

G-3126
Darrell Fancourt. As Earl of Mountararat in Iolanthe. Parkslee #80.
$15

G-3127
Darrell Fancourt. As Sir Roderick Murgatroyd in Ruddigore (head and shoulders). Upper corner faintly creased. Parkslee #34.
$20

G-3129
Darrell Fancourt. In street clothes. Upper corner creased. Parkslee #89.
$15

G-3667
Catherine Ferguson. As Iolanthe in Iolanthe; Signed, with sentiment. Corners lightly creased; a couple of short surface scores; twice blind-stamped "Paterson, Glasgow" at lower right; light silvering. Very good.
$35

G-3131
Catherine Ferguson. As Iolanthe in Iolanthe. Light border scratches; crease above image. Parkslee #82.
$15

G-3133
Catherine Ferguson. As Melissa in Ida; Percy Anderson costume. Faint margin crease. Parkslee #88.
$15

G-3136
[----- Another copy]. This one not signed. Parkslee #55.
$15

G-3138
Catherine Ferguson. In street clothes. Hint of surface rubbing. Parkslee #100.
$15

G-3141
Helen Gilliland. As Yum-Yum in Mikado. Faint scoring on image. Parkslee #61.
$20

G-3143
Sydney Granville. As Bill Bobstay in Pinafore. Corners slightly creased; small nick. Parkslee #71.
$15

G-3144
Sydney Granville. As Cox in Cox and Box. Parkslee #78.
$20

G-3145
Sydney Granville. As Florian in Ida (simpler costume, no hat). Surface lightly rubbed; faint "ding". Parkslee #86.
$20

G-3146
Sydney Granville. As Florian in Ida (elaborate costume, hat and sash). Parkslee #110.
$20

G-3149
Sydney Granville. As Strephon in Iolanthe. With ink note on verso. Parkslee #84.
$20

G-3151
Sydney Granville. In street clothes. Ink stamp advertising first edition of Lytton's Secrets of a Savoyard on verso. Parkslee #58.
$15

G-3152
Elsie Griffin. As Gianetta in Gondoliers (head and shoulders). Parkslee #19.
$20

G-3153
Elsie Griffin. As Gianetta in Gondoliers (head and shoulders, wide-brimmed hat). Minor corner crease. Parkslee #99.
$20

G-3154
Elsie Griffin. As Josephine in Pinafore. Parkslee #98.
$20

G-3158
Elsie Griffin. As Yum-Yum in Mikado. Parkslee #95.
$20

G-3159
Elsie Griffin. In street clothes. Parkslee #94.
$15

G-3668
Jean Hindmarsh. As Princess Ida in Ida; signed, with sentiment, in ballpoint across skirt (best visible when held at angle). One corner slightly bumped G&S Photos.
$30

G-3163
Iolanthe, Act II. The Lord Chancellor separates the Lovers in Iolanthe, with Henry Lytton (Strephon), C.H. Workman (Lord Chancellor) and Clara Dow (Phyllis). Horizontal image; lower margin a bit dusty. Tuck #T 1170.
$25

G-3165
Winifred Lawson. As Elsie Maynard in Yeomen. Lower corner lightly creased. Parkslee #107.
$20

G-3166
Winifred Lawson. As Patience in Patience. Tiny background "ding"; one corner creased. Parkslee #103.
$20

G-3167
[----- Another copy]. This one with ink date ("April 4, 1924") at bottom. Parkslee #103.
$20

G-3169
Bertha Lewis. As Fairy Queen in Iolanthe. Parkslee #12.
$20

G-3170
Bertha Lewis. As Duchess of Plaza Toro in Gondoliers. Signed, with sentiment and note ("With pleasure") on verso. Top and left edges trimmed slightly (2mm); purple stamped ad for Secrets of a Savoyard in note area. Parkslee #13.
$25

G-3171
[----- Another copy]. This one not signed. Parkslee #13.
$20

G-3172
Bertha Lewis. As Dame Carruthers in Yeomen. Faint surface scratch. Parkslee #81.
$15

G-3173
Bertha Lewis. As Lady Blanche in Ida. Parkslee #91.
$15

G-3174
Bertha Lewis. As Lady Sangazure in Sorcerer. A few faint background marks. Parkslee #53.
$20

G-3175
Bertha Lewis. In street clothes. Parkslee #104.
$15

G-3176
[----- Another copy]. This one with a hint of rubbing; ink note "You will be so pleased to receive this" (in another hand) on verso. Parkslee #104.
$15

G-3177
Bertha Lewis and Henry Lytton. As Lady Jane and Bunthorne in Patience. Parkslee #28.
$20

G-3178
Henry A. Lytton. As Sir Joseph Porter in Pinafore. Corner faintly creased. Parkslee #3.
$15

G-3179
Henry A. Lytton. As Duke of Plaza-Toro in Gondoliers. Parkslee #4.
$15

G-3180
Henry A. Lytton. As Jack Point in Yeomen. Parkslee #5.
$15

G-3181
[-----Another copy]. This one with corner faintly creased. Ink stamp advertising Lytton's Secrets of a Savoyard on verso. Parkslee #5.
$15

G-3182
Henry A. Lytton. As Lord Chancellor in Iolanthe. Minor corner creasing. Parkslee #6.
$20

G-3184
Henry A. Lytton. As Bunthorne in Patience. Parkslee #7.
$15

G-3187
Henry Lytton. As Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd in Ruddigore. Parkslee #59.
$15

G-3188
H.A. Lytton. In military style overcoat and cap. Light silvering at edges. Beagles #107.C.
$20

G-3189
Henry Lytton. In street clothes. Parkslee #48.
$10

G-3190
[----- Another copy]. This one postally used; two creased corners; small ink notation in lower margin. Parkslee #48.
$5

G-3195
Derek Oldham As Col. Fairfax in Yeomen (wedding clothes). Parkslee #74.
$15

G-3196
Derek Oldham. As Nanki-Poo in Mikado . "Secrets of a Savoyard" purple stamp on verso; very faint corner marks. Parkslee #70.
$20

G-3198
Derek Oldham. As Richard Dauntless in Ruddigore. Minor surface rubbing. Parkslee #51.
$15

G-3199
Derek Oldham. As Ralph Rackstraw (sailor) in Pinafore. Parkslee #72.
$15

G-3200
Derek Oldham. In street clothes (dark suit). Signed, with sentiment, and initialed note ("...thanks for kind letter.") on verso. Some creasing, especially at corners. Photographer's name in image: "Estelle".
$25

G-3201
Derek Oldham. In street clothes (tweed suit). Light creasing. Parkslee #21.
$15

G-3204
Walter Passmore. Seated with poker by fire. Signed with sentiment on front. Ink name ("Ruth") on verso. Hartmann #1212.
$20

G-3205
Walter Passmore. Seated in armchair Photogravure printed on heavy paper; large semi-circuar scratch at upper left; badly trimmed at right edge; very good. "Smart Novels" Series.
$10

G-2121
Kenneth Sandford. As Don Alhambra in Gondoliers; Ricketts costume. Savoyard photos.
$15

G-2122
Kenneth Sandford. As Pooh-Bah in Mikado. Hint of rubbing. Savoyard Photos.
$15

G-2123
Kenneth Sandord. As Archibald Grosvenor in Patience. Corners a touch bumped. Savoyard photos.
$15

G-2124
[----- Another copy]. This one with pinhole and ink note, "my dad" at bottom. From the Sandford collection.
$15

G-2125
Kenneth Sandford. As Wilfred Shadbolt in Yeomen; ½-length, looking right. Light surface scoring. Savoyard Photos.
$15

G-3218
Leo Sheffield. As Sir Despard Murgatroyd in Ruddigore. With a couple tiny surface "dings". Parkslee #50.
$15

G-3219
Leo Sheffield. As Capt. Corcoran in Pinafore. Parkslee #77.
$15

G-3221
Leo Sheffield. In street clothes. Parkslee #10.
$15

G-3684
Jeffrey Skitch. As Pish-Tush in Mikado. Signed in ballpoint across image (best visible when held at angle), impressing through to verso. G&S Photos.
$30

G-3685
Alan Styler. As Giuseppe in Gondoliers. Signed in ballpoint across image (visible only when held at angle). G&S Photos.
$30

G-3686
Alan Styler. As the Lieutenant of the Tower in Yeomen. Signed in ballpoint across image (visible only when held at angle). Minor edge rubbing; pencilled name ("Kathleen") on verso. G&S Photos.
$30

G-3689
Joyce Wright. As Iolanthe in Iolanthe. Signed, with sentiment in ballpoint across image (best visible when held at angle). Left edge rubbed and faintly creased. Very good.. G&S Photos.
$30

G-3229
Gilbert and Sullivan in America: A Series of Twelve Post Cards from 19th Century Cabinet Photographs; from the David Stone Collection. Reproductions of charming photographs featuring 19th century American performers in principal roles, including Lillian Russell, F. Frederici, and Cara Tanner. All are b/w and come in a wrap-around title band. As new.
$10

Square D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Ephemera Square

Also check out the D'Oyly Carte ephemera section of the Kenneth Sandford Archives.


G-3232
D'Oyly Carte Opera Trust. Associate Membership Cards, run of fourteen cards for 1967-68 to 1980-81. Small light card folders with Savoy crest on front panel; one with the name of the Vice-Chairman crossed out in ink, all with the member's name and number entered. Fine.
$10


G-3239
[Notice]. [Announcement of 1971 Sorcerer production]. White card folder, designed by Peter Goffin, with early b/w Sorcerer engraving, within colour Goffin proscenium borders. A touch dusty; near fine.
"... The D'Oyly Carte Company are pleased to announce that the first performance of a new production will take place on Monday, 29th March 1971 at the OPERA HOUSE, MANCHESTER ..."
$5

G-3241
[Notice]. The D'Oyly Carte Opera Trust, "When the Copyright in the Gilbert & Sullivan Operas Ends ..."; Cover title "Gilbert Sullivan and D'Oyly Carte"; announcing the formation of the trust and outlining Bridget D'Oyly Carte's endowment; with list of shows on verso (those produced by the company in red, four others in black). Vertical light card folder, printed in red and black, with Savoy arms on front; a lightly creased along bottom edge; near fine.
$3

G-3242
[----- Another copy]. This one with holes punched in margin of rear panel. Together with Flyer on Trust letterhead, captioned "ASSOCIATE MEMBERS", outlining the benefits and costs of membership. Originally 2 pp, but now with application form at bottom of p.2 removed; matching holes in left margin; light age-toning. Both items near fine.
$8

G-3690
[Season schedule - London]. Rupert D'Oyly Carte's Season of Gilbert & Sullivan Operas, Programme. Prince's Theatre, London, Feb. 4th to May 24th, 1924. Colour pictorial (Brock character procession) oblong light card folder, bordered in "gold", with 10-show line-up (plus Trial and Cox and Box as supporting pieces), printed in grey-brown, in boxes on rear; ticket and other contact or season information printed in red and black inside. Evenly soiled externally; lower corners creased and a bit rumpled overall; names of several leads and staff (17 in all - curiously, a few not with the company that season) in ink at top of right inside panel. Very good.
$45

G-3691
[Season schedules - London]. Programme, D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, London seasons performance schedules. Small 4 pp. folders, with red, or wine covers, printed also in black; centre spread with season performance schedule, dates and times. Sold separately, as follows:
    a) December 19th, 1960 - February 18th, 1961. Princes Theatre, wine cover. Dusty on rear, near fine. $4
    b) December 11th, 1961- March 24th, 1962. Savoy Theatre, wine cover. Corner crease, small marks, near fine. $4
    c) December 20th, 1971- February 12th, 1972. Sadler's Wells, red cover. Fine. $2

G-3692
[Season schedule - Provinces]. The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ... in Gilbert and Sullivan Operas. Provincial performance schedules, each outlining the nightly productions for a stay in a single theatre. Formats vary, either small leaf or folder, most on light card, all printed in red and black. Sold separately.
    a) June 29th - July 4th, 1959. Kings Theatre. Swansea. Leaf; corner creased, otherwise fine. $2
    b) November 23rd-December 19th, 1959. Streatham Hill Theatre. London. Folder, schedule on inner spread; pencilled notations overall; worn; very good. $2
    c) July 11th - July 30, 1960. Royal Court Theatre. Liverpool. Leaf; corner creased, otherwise fine. $2
    d) September 26th - Oct. 8, 1960. Moss' Hippodrome. Brighton. Leaf; fine. $2
    e) November 21st - Dec. 3, 1960. Theatre Royal. Newcastle. Leaf; fine. $2
    f) February 20th - Mar. 4, 1960. Opera House. Blackpool. Leaf; fine. $2
    g) June 19th - July 1, 1961. Golders Green Hippodrome. [London]. Leaf; soiled and much worn; ink notations; good. $1
    h) March 26th - April 21, 1962. Opera House. Manchester. Leaf; fine. $2
    i) April 23rd - May 12, 1962. King's Theatre. Edinburgh. Leaf; fine. $2
    j) March 15th - April 24th, 1971. Opera House. Manchester. Oblong folder; fine. $2

G-3693
[Season schedules - Tours]. The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company [Tour date cards]. Town by town touring schedules, each covering several months and advertising "Cards giving the programme to be performed at any of the dates ... sent on application" on verso. Light card, printed in black and red, most approx 3½ x 5½. Sold separately; perfect for completing a run ...
    a) February-May, 1961. Scuff at top edge touching header (tape removal), therefore very good. $1
    b) May-July, 1961. Small tape remains at top edge. Near fine. $1
    c) February-May, 1968. Fine. $1
    d) March-August, 1971. Fine. $1
    e) Feb.-July, 1972. Fine. $1
    f) Sept.-Dec., 1972. Fine. $1
    g) Sept.-Dec., 1975. Curled at left margin, otherwise fine. $1
    h) Aug.-Dec., 1977. Fine. $1
    i) Feb.-Apr., 1979. Fine. $1
    j) Oct.-Dec., 1979. Fine. $1
    k) Sept.-Dec., 1980. 8¼ x 3½. Fine. $1

G-3252
[Tickets]. Princes [Theatre] January 27 [1959]; pair of stubs, for performance of Gondoliers. Pink paper printed in black. 1958-59 London season. Fine.
$1

G-3253
[Tickets]. Savoy Theatre, Saturday March 7 [and] Saturday April 4 two pairs of stubs, both 1964, in Savoy Theatre ticket envelope ("The Savoy Restaurant for Supper, Dancing and Cabaret"). Includes the Last Night of the London Season. Envelope creased; tickets fine.
$3

White dot Original D'Oyly Carte Costumes White dot

These men's chorus costumes were designed by Lucianna Arrighi for the 1968 production of The Gondoliers . Presumably for Act II, they are all in excellent condition.

Select the picture to see a larger view of the image.


G-3254
Green military-style short fronted jacket with split tails and elaborate gold braid.
$125
Military jacket

Military suit G-3255
Military-style suit; short fronted jacket with split tails in purple-grey, trimmed with royal blue velvet, silver buttons and gold braid; white breeches with matching buttons and braid.
$125

G-3256
Chauffer style suit; tunic jacket and matching breeches trimmed with purple velvet at collar and cuff, and silver buttons.
$95
Chauffer suit

Brown/tan suit G-3257
Edwardian style suit; long brown jacket rounded to the rear, trimmed with brown satin edging; yellow-brown full length trousers; white sash.
$95

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