Set of 8 Antique Hand-Tinted Engravings of Theatrical Characters 19th Century

They feature actors in different plays, with hand tinted and metallic foil appliqués. They are framed in decorative moulded birds-eye maple frames with gilt slips.

The set includes the following prints:

Plate I: Mr Anderson as Macbeth
Plate II: Mr R Honner as Jack Sheppard and Mr Hall as Jonathan Wild
Plate III: Mr Campbell as William in Black Eye Susan
Plate IV: Madam Verstris as Pandora
Plate V: Mr Osbaldiston as Phoebus Captain of Kings Archers
Plate VI: Mr Kean as Richard III
Plate VII: Mr acklin in the caracter of St Gilbert Wrangle in The Refusal
Plate VIII: Mr c Pitt as Will Watch

Condition:
In excellent condition. As antique items, the pieces show signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, they display beautifully.

Dimensions in cm:
Height 21 x Width 17 x Depth 2 – Smallest
Height 36 x Width 32 x Depth 2 – Largest

Dimensions in inches:
Height 8 inches x Width 7 inches x Depth 1 inch – Smallest
Height 1 foot, 2 inches x Width 1 foot, 1 inch x Depth 1 inch – Largest

Birdseye Maple
occurs primarily in Sugar Maple and is a very hard wood with divergent grain structure caused by the presence of the Birdseyes.

In the days when all furniture was made essentially by hand, Birdseye Maple was used by only the most capable cabinetmakers. These artisans had developed the tools and skills to work and finish Birdseye Maple successfully. Antique furniture made out of Birdseye Maple is rare and beautiful.

The divergent grain that makes Birdseye Maple beautiful also makes it difficult to work. Early woodworking machines ran at low rpms and had only 2 knives per cutterhead. This often produced Birdseye surfaces that were chipped and torn. It took many hours of hand planing and scraping to get these surfaces to a high sheen.

This limited the use of Birdseye maple to projects whose value could justify the extra labour cost. Examples of this are fine furniture and musical instruments.

Our reference: A3553