Mid-1800's American Traveling Theater Broadside: Washington Hall, Amesbury Mills. Old National Theatre Company, From Boston.
[Boston] [Amesbury]: E. G. Frothingham, Printer, Haverhill, [1860's?].
Broadside. Broadside approx. 17" x 6". Broadside is pasted down to an old light, orange board. Some light corner and edge chipping to the board and paper. Light toning to the paper. No date provided. The National Theatre was in existence in Boston from 1836-1863. These plays were held at Amesbury Mills a prosperous industrial location north of Boston. Printed under the top heading of the broadside - "This Company comprises a well selected and talented list from the BOSTON THEATRES, and MUSEUM. They have met with most brilliant success, and have been pronounced by the public voice the best COMPANY now TRAVELLING." The plays performed on Friday Evening May 19th include:
Come and Laugh! Glorious Bill. A new Domestic Drama to Night showing life in an ENGLISH FACTORY. A LAUGHABLE IRISH FARCE.
FAC-TORY GIRL, or VIRTUE TRIUMPHANT
PADDY MILES (an Irish Farce). Fair. Item #22138
The National Theatre in Boston was founded in Boston and was active from 1836-1863. From wikipedia: The National Theatre (1836-1863) was a theatre in the West End of Boston, Massachusetts, in the mid-19th century.[1][2] William Pelby established the enterprise in 1836, and presented productions of "original pieces, and the efforts of a well selected stock company, which, with few exceptions, have been American. The scenery is of the highest order, and the business of the stage well directed. Mr C.A. Eaton made his debut at this theatre, and here Mr. F.S. Hill's early labors were eminently successful. Mr. J.S. Jones has written and produced on this stage thirty pieces, embracing every department except tragedy."[3] William Washburn designed the building, erected on the site of the former Warren Theatre. Performers at the National included Edwin Adams, Marietta Zanfretta, Jean Margaret Davenport,[4] Julia Dean, Jonathan Harrington, W.H. Smith,[5] Mary Ann Vincent, and Billy Whitlock. In 1852 the theatre burnt down, and was rebuilt.[6] In 1863 the building was again destroyed by fire.[7] E.B. Williams was listed as a manager for the company but there is no mention of Munroe.
The Amesbury and Salisbury Mills Village Historic District is a historic district on Market Sq. roughly bounded by Boardman, Water, Main and Pond Streets in Amesbury, Massachusetts. It was the site of significant industrial development between 1800 and 1875, during which time the town developed a significant textile processing industry. Among the buildings in the district is the Salisbury Mill #4, a four-story brick Greek Revival building which features dentil decorations on its eaves and towers.[2] The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.[1] (wikipedia)
The printer Edward Gilman Frothingham (1811-1875) was a writer and owner of the Haverhill Gazette from 1843-1869. From the OCLC site most of the publications listed in World Cat by Frothingham spanned years 1858-60. Some publications were done in 1866. No listing for this broadside has been found. (Also used source: Genealogical and Personal Memoirs: Relating to the Families of Boston...By William Richard Cutter).
Price: $250.00