Theatrical portrait

Two small, paper portraits of the actors Mr Phelps in the role of the Hamlet and Mrs Warner as Queen cut out and stuck onto a single piece of card with handcoloured background scenery. The portraits themselves are uncoloured the card identifies the portraits and gives retailer details. Sold by Redington at his Print Warehouse, 208 Hoxton Old Town, London. Such portraits would have been sold plain as theatrical souvenirs for colouring and tinselling at home.

In the 1800s Shakespeare plays were usually performed without distressing events, sexual references or swearing. When Phelps and Warner managed the Sadler's Wells theatre they returned to using Shakespeare's versions. Phelps acted as Hamlet more than any other part. Mrs Warner was renowned for her performances of Shakespearean characters, such as Lady Constance from King John and the Queen, in Hamlet.