Theatrical portrait

Uncoloured, sheet printed with four separate theatrical portraits representing Mr T.P. Cooke as William Mrs H.Vining as Black Eyed Susan, Miss Gilbert as Blue-Bell and Miss Boden as Fairy of the Grotto. Published October 7 1839. Such plates were sold as theatrical souvenirs. Cooke's popularity as an actor is reflected in his frequent appearances in these souvenir portraits.

Black Eyed Susan opened at the Surrey Theatre on the 26th of January, 1829. It made a star of T.P. Cooke, who played William, and was frequently revived. In November 1839 it was played at the Pavillion Theatre, in Whitechapel, with Cooke playing the starring role.