Theatrical Tinsel Print of Mr Obi Smith as ‘Guy Fawkes’, published c.1822

Sold

Hand coloured Theatrical ‘Tinsel’ engraving of Guy Fawkes, dressed in period costume in a cellar, a lantern in his hand,  hand coloured in watercolours, inscribed below: “Mr O. Smith/ (as Guy Fawkes.) / Pubd. by & for Bailey, 65 Grays Lane.”

Circa 1822

Frame: 28.5 x 23.5cm

Dating to the earlier 19th century, a ‘Tinsel’ picture was a theatrical image of a stage character of the time, available as either plain for a penny, or coloured for tuppence. They were then enhanced with ‘tinsel’, tinfoil cutouts, glittery beads and scraps of cloth, as a home project, aimed at the children in need of entertainment.
This example is not embellished, just coloured.

Not much is recorded for this printer or actor, but there is a very handy typewritten note on the back:

Note on back:
“__J. R. Smith, always known as O. Smith or Obi Smith from his celebrated performance of “Obi, or three fingered Jack , a serio-pantomime with music by Dr Arnold. Smith was one of the earliest Villains at the Royal Coburg Theatre and later the Old Vic. Died, 1st of Feb 1855, aged 68. He is sometimes called Richard John Smith. Originally played Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” at the Adelphi.__”

This allows us to name the actor as ‘Obi Smith’, so-called because of his famous role as ‘Obi – or Three Fingered Jack’ in 1800. He was actually “Richard John Smith”, but Obi was much more individual for an actor than his otherwise rather anonymous name. He had a wide variety in characters over his lifetime, including one of the first depictions of ‘Frankenstein’s Monster’ in 1826 (The Man and The Monster; or The Fate of Frankenstein).
“Guy Fawkes” was written by George McFarren Snr, and opened 23rd September 1822 at the Coburg Theatre, London.  

 

Sold - let us find you another