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Estimate: $ 10,000 - $ 15,000
(THEATER.) Pair of broadsides for Ira Aldridge's historic first two performances at London's Theatre Royal. Letterpress broadsides, each 13 1/2 x 16 1/4 inches; each with center vertical folds and slight loss from disbinding, minor foxing and wear. [London]: W. Reynolds, 8 and 11 April 1833
Ira Frederick Aldridge (1807-1867) was an African-American actor who was born in New York but emigrated in 1824 in search of greater opportunities. He slowly worked his way up through the regional theaters of Great Britain and Ireland, often billing himself as a native of Africa, and befriended England's best-known Shakespearean actor of the period, Edmund Kean. In March 1833 at the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane in Covent Garden, London, Kean was starring in a production of Othello when he collapsed on stage. He survived for just two more months, and his acting career was over. Kean's protégé Ira Aldridge was brought in to play Othello for his first opportunity at one of London's leading theaters. His engagement as Othello lasted for only two performances; he was criticized for his youth and inexperience, and his race was also likely an issue. However, he went on to a long career as one of England's leading actors; he is the only actor of African descent to be honored with a plaque at the Shakespeare Memorial Theater. These playbills advertise both of Aldridge's groundbreaking Covent Garden appearances as Othello, along with many other performances. The 8 April playbill promises a performance two days hence of "Shakespeare's tragedy of Othello, the part of Othello by Mr. Aldridge (a native of Senegal), known by the appellation of the African Roscius, who has been received with great applause at the Theatres Royal, Dublin, Edinburgh, Bath, and most of the principal provincial theatres. His first appearance on this stage." In smaller type, his return engagement for Friday was also announced, as Zanga in The Revenge and as Mungo in The Padlock. The 11 April program announces that "in consequence of the enthusiastic reception of Mr. Aldridge (a native of Senegal) and by the unanimous desire of the audience, he will have the honor of repeating the character of Othello, tomorrow evening." See Hovde, "Ira Aldridge Takes the Stage," on the Folger Shakespeare Library blog, which is illustrated with a 10 April playbill. None others from Aldridge's Theatre Royal appearances have been traced at auction or in OCLC.
