Collection of 16 cabinet & postcard photographs and 2 manuscript signed notes.

Bookseller Notes

A pleasing group, highlighting the most famous roles from the 20-year period in which the highly celebrated theatrical pairing, performing as part of Irving's company at the Lyceum Theatre, dominated London's theatrical life. The Irving images comprise two cabinet photographs, one, a portrait as himself, the other as the Vicar in Olivia (an adaptation of Goldsmith's The Vicar of Wakefield (the role first performed in 1885), and three postcards - a seated portrait, as Becket (from Tennyson's play), signed, and Shylock (arguably his most famous role); the short signed letter is a note of thanks to an anonymous admirer. The three cabinet photographs of Terry show her as Ophelia (her first role in Irving's company, first performed in 1878), Viola, and Imogen, while in the postcards, she appears as Ophelia again (a revival), Queen Catherine (from Henry VIII, performed in 1892) in two poses, Beatrice, Cordelia, Lady Macbeth, Mistress Page, and Portia (which, when she first performed the role in 1875, inspired a sonnet from Oscar Wilde.) The signed letter is addressed to Kitty Bailey, thanking her for making 'a nice hat, and out of nothing too!!'