Various Artists

Royal Coburg Theatre, Surry, James Stow, after Robert Blemmell Schnebbelie, 1819, etching with hand-colouring on wove paper; and
Hay Market Theatre, Artist Unknown, 19th Century, engraving on wove paper; and
Sadler's Wells Theatre, Daniel Havell, 1826, etching with aquatint, heightened with hand-colouring, on wove paper.

Not examined out of the frames. The sheet of 'Sadler's Wells' undulates, with some discolouration to the sheet and some small, minor spots of foxing. There is a small indentation to the paper in the lower left quadrant of 'Royal Coburg', and one or two light creases and handling marks in places. There is some discolouration to the sheet of both 'Royal Coburg' and 'Hay Market', and a couple of instances of slight surface dirt and matter to the sheet of 'Hay Market'. Each work is individually framed and held under glass. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The Royal Coburg Theatre was established in 1818 and was renamed The Royal Victoria Theatre in 1833, later becoming known as The Old Vic. Both Vivien and Larry were involved extensively with The Old Vic, each performing there numerous times, with Laurence appointed co-director in 1944. The Haymarket Theatre, dating from 1720, is the third oldest London Playhouse still in use, and is now known as the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Vivien appeared there as Jennifer Dubedat in The Doctor's Dilemma and as Lady Teazle in The School for Scandal, both in 1942. Sadler's Wells has a similarly rich history; its origins can be traced back to 1683, when Richard Sadler built a music house there following the discovery of a mineral spring. Its fortunes were to fluctuate over the years, and it closed in 1915, until Lilian Baylis, a key figure at The Old Vic, decided to start fundraising in 1925 to rebuild Sadler's Wells so that the residents of North London could enjoy the same opportunities as those in the South. It reopened in 1931, and in 1962 Glen Byam Shaw, a close friend and colleague of both Vivien and Larry, was to take up the role of director of productions there.