Gold photograph locket medallion presented to Vesta Victoria (1873-1951) by the American music hall impresario Tony Pastor (1832-1908) on 18th March 1893.

Gold photograph locket medallion comprised of three parts linked together with four sections of links. The the top part, engraved recto: 'Presented to Vesta Victoria by' bears a pin fixing verso for wearing as a brooch; the centre part is a laurel-wreath framed disc, winged each side and engraved recto: 'Tony Pastor'; and the lower part is a glass-fronted photograph locket encircled with laurel leaves and the American eagle and a sunburst design (top), and an enamelled shield bearing stars and stripes in red white and blue (below). It is engraved to Vesta Victoria (verso): 'Vesta Victoria. In appreciation of her artistic merits. Presented by Tony Pastor. New York March 18th 1893.'

Given by Annie Shead

This medallion shows the status that the British music hall performer Vesta Victoria (1873-1951) achieved in America in the late 19th century, where her Cockney persona and comic songs, including Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow Wow and Waiting at the Church, were as popular as they were in England. It is of interest as a late 19th century engraved gold medallion incorporating a miniature photo frame, and as a prized object relating to Vesta Victoria, a music hall celebrity who was painted by Walter Sickert and who appeared in the 1932 Royal Variety Performance. Vesta Victoria's daughter, who inherited this award, gave it to the donor Annie Shead, with a letter documenting the transfer of ownership.

S.444-2016