THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT GARDEN — Original Playbill, 27 January 1812 The Revenge (2d time) & Harlequin and Padmanaba; or, The Golden Fish (48th time) Featuring Charles Kemble, Mr. Young, and Joseph Grimaldi

Original early‑19th‑century Covent Garden playbill, dated Monday, 27 January 1812, advertising:

• The Revenge — 2d time of the revival
  • Don Alonzo: C. Kemble
  • Zanga: Mr. Young
  • Leonora: Mrs. Egerton
• Followed by the pantomime Harlequin & Padmanaba; or, The Golden Fish — 48th time
  • Harlequin: Mr. Bologna, Jun.
  • Clown: Joseph Grimaldi
  • Columbine: Mrs. Park
  • Extensive production credits (Ware, Phillips, Pugh, Grieve, Sloper, Farley, etc.)

Mid‑sheet appears the standard Covent Garden imprint: “Printed by E. Macleish, 2 Bow‑Street. Vivant Rex & Regina.” followed by a rule dividing the main bill from the forthcoming attractions, including:

• Comedy of Errors (4th time)
• Hamlet (Hamlet by Mr. Young)
• Grand Selection of Sacred Music (Tramezzani & Catalani)
• First performance of The Virgin of the Sun (music by Bishop)

Notes:

• Single‑sheet letterpress playbill, c. 20 × 25 cm
• Printed to the lower edge: the paper stock is slightly shorter than the printed forme — a production feature, not trimming or loss.
• Paper evenly toned with expected age; no text loss.
• Strong impression with varied display type typical of Covent Garden jobbing print.

A desirable early‑Regency Covent Garden bill pairing a new tragedy revival with a successful seasonal pantomime, and featuring Joseph Grimaldi, whose appearances are especially sought after in period playbills.

Charles Kemble (1775–1854) — English actor‑manager of Covent Garden, noted for high‑style tragic and romantic roles.

Mr. Young (William Young, (1790–1875) — Leading tragedian of the early 19th century, known for Zanga and Hamlet.

Joseph Grimaldi (1778–1837) — The era’s most celebrated Clown and the defining figure of Regency pantomime.

PROVENANCE:

One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil. 

Winifred Alice Myers (1909 – 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004.