Dudley Hardy

Circa 1895 poster by Dudley Hardy for the Strand Theatre - A Brace of Partridges

Circa 1895

This striking circa 1895 poster for All Aboard, performed at London’s Court Theatre under the management of Arthur Chudleigh, captures the theatrical spectacle and musical energy of ...

Very nice theater poster by Albert Morrow for the play "Lord and Lady Algy". Created on the London stage in 1898, Lord and Lady Algy was later made into an American silent film of the same name. The plot revolves around a married couple...

This lively circa 1895 poster for Miss Francis of Yale, performed at London’s Globe Theatre, captures the playful energy of late Victorian theatrical advertising. Printed by Waterlow...

This bold circa 1895 poster by John Hassall for Terry’s Theatre – The White Knight is a striking example of early modern poster design in Britain, where clarity, humor, and strong vi...

Rare Original Theatre Poster, 'Blue Jeans' c. 1890 by Play-write Joseph Arthur This is an original poster, it has been linen backed for preservation. This poster is advertising the...

Original Ambassadeurs Les Cinq Demi-Vierges. Linen backed in B condition. It was folded at one time with the fold marks laid down during the linen backing process. There are som...

Very rare late 19th Century, "The Original Holden's Mannikins", original vintage theatrical Vaudeville play linen backed one-sheet movie poster (one sheet; measures 28" x 42", actual poster size 27" x 41". Early Vaudeville Marionette, Automata and Mannequin poster with vibrant colors, another one can't be found. The playbill poster features vibrant illustrations of Clowns, Skeletons, Royalty, Cowboys, Mimes, Nurses, Fairies... This poster has an address for a theatre in St. Martin Paris, France. From the book; The Holdens: Monarchs of the Marionette Theatre by John McCormick The Holden family were the most celebrated English marionette performers of the nineteenth century. The trajectory of the Holdens provides a vivid example of developments in entertainment across the century. Having begun on the fairgrounds, they moved on to large halls, theatres and music halls. At the height of their popularity, when they had two main companies in operation, the Holdens were even better known abroad than at home. Their name was almost synonymous with puppetry, and they were credited with every innovation in marionette theatre. Then, with the advent of cinema, their business suffered a rapid decline. Based on extensive archival research and lavishly illustrated with photographs, sketches, diagrams, playbills and posters, The Holdens: Monarchs of the Marionette Theatre explains why the Holden shows had such impact and were so frequently imitated. Below are two newspaper reviews from 1903 and 1907. Holdin’s Mannkins Location: New York City Theater: New York Date: 1903 Type: Marionette, Automata and Manikin This is another of Mr. Keith’s acts and it is safe to say that we have never seen marionettes in this country before. The general fitting up of the act is great—had a fine stage with a full set of scenery, and everything is first class order—strongly, and it is hardly possible to conceive how people can produce the effects that they do by the manipulation of strings. Every move made by these little figures is absolutely natural and life-like, and the audience were quick to appreciate this fact and were most hearty in their applause. The act is closed with a transformation feature which was very pretty and attractive. It is an exceptionally strong turn throughout. 24 minutes, full stage. Source: University of Iowa, Keith-Albee Vaudeville Collection, Manager Reports, 2 September 1902-3 September 1903. Holden’s Manikins Location: Philadelphia Theater: Keith's Date: 1907 Type: Marionette, Automata and Manikin 22 min, F.S., 2 shows. On at 8:04. This is a children’s feature. I doubt whether it would be so well received at any other than about Christmas time, but it quite won the house. The manikins performs various simple stunts, such as dancing, Punch and Judy comedy, etc. The finish of the act was a spectacular feature without moving figures, which did not run as smoothly as it should have done. However, the act will certainly please the little folks and it cannot be conceived how the wooden manikins can be manipulated so life-like. Holden got a good hand on his appearance after the act...

Antique print titled 'In der Damen-Garderobe während der Verwandlung'. Print of a theater dressing room, it shows actresses change clothes.