Finger ring

This gold-plated ring belonged to the Shakespearean stage actor Samuel Phelps. Originally from Devon, Phelps came to London in the 1820s. He worked for a newspaper before taking to the stage as an amateur in 1826. He spent his early theatrical career on the regional circuit before making his professional London début in 1837 as Shylock in The Merchant of Venice at the Haymarket. After performing at Covent Garden, Phelps went on to become theatre manager at Sadler's Wells. He continued to act there alongside his co-manager, the actress Mary Amelia Warner.