This object, or the text that describes it, is deemed offensive and discriminatory. We are committed to improving our records, and work is ongoing.
Bill of Sale
16 January 1713 - 4 February 1713 (inscribed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bill of sale is signed by the actor -managers Colley Cibber (1671-1757), Robert Wilks (1665-1732) and Barton Booth (1681-1733), known as 'the triumvirate' that was running the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in January 1714. The actor Thomas Doggett (1670-1721), a former partner, had retired in disgust when his enemy Booth was allowed a share in the theatre.
The is a bill for fabric which would probably have been used for costumes at Drury Lane Theatre, and would have been kept as part of the theatre's accounts. An advertisement in The Spectator, 21 March 1711, noted that the Mercer's shop at the 'Blackamore's Head in Bedford Street, Covent Garden, was then run by Carew Reynell with his partners Tristram Huddleston, Isaac Spiltimber and Samuel Wrexham: 'the said Tristram Huddleston and Samuel Wrexham being removed from the Wheatsheaf in Bedford Street to the Blackamore's Head ... where there is the greatest variety of new silks of all kinds and from the highest to lowest prices.'
The is a bill for fabric which would probably have been used for costumes at Drury Lane Theatre, and would have been kept as part of the theatre's accounts. An advertisement in The Spectator, 21 March 1711, noted that the Mercer's shop at the 'Blackamore's Head in Bedford Street, Covent Garden, was then run by Carew Reynell with his partners Tristram Huddleston, Isaac Spiltimber and Samuel Wrexham: 'the said Tristram Huddleston and Samuel Wrexham being removed from the Wheatsheaf in Bedford Street to the Blackamore's Head ... where there is the greatest variety of new silks of all kinds and from the highest to lowest prices.'
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Pen and ink on engraved paper |
| Brief description | Bill of sale for fabric for costumes, signed by the managers of Drury Lane Theatre Colley Cibber (1671-1757), Robert Wilks (1665-1732) and Barton Booth (1681-1733), bought from Samuel Wrexham at the 'Blackamoor's Head, Bedford Street, Covent Garden, January 16th to February 4th 1713. Ink on headed paper of Samuel Wrexham & Company. |
| Physical description | Manuscript bill of sale on engraved letterheading, featuring a central roundel at the top with an image of a black woman wearing hoop earrings, a pearl necklace and a turban, with the words 'BOUGHT OF' within a banner heading above, centre top. Surrounding the image in manuscript: 'Samuel Wrexham', and in print: 'and Compy. at the 'Blackamore's Head in Bedford Street Covent Garden'. In MS: '1713 16 Jan for Mr. Booth & Mr. Lewis, 29 Do.& Mr. Brouse 4 Feb' and signed by the managers of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Colley Cibber (1671-1757), Robert Wilks (1665-1732) and Barton Booth (1681-1733). The receipt lists the fabric purchased as: - 'rich scarlet velvet', 'reich white sergedusoy', 'scarlet and cherry silk; and 'white rich sergedusoy' (possibly meant to be the raw silk known as Padua Serge'). Inscribed verso: 'Mr. Wilks & Comp. Bill'. Small hole in centre. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Gabrielle Enthoven Collection |
| Object history | NB. While the term 'blackamoor' has been used in this record, it has since fallen from usage and is now considered offensive. The term is repeated in this record in its original historical context. |
| Associations | |
| Summary | This bill of sale is signed by the actor -managers Colley Cibber (1671-1757), Robert Wilks (1665-1732) and Barton Booth (1681-1733), known as 'the triumvirate' that was running the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in January 1714. The actor Thomas Doggett (1670-1721), a former partner, had retired in disgust when his enemy Booth was allowed a share in the theatre. The is a bill for fabric which would probably have been used for costumes at Drury Lane Theatre, and would have been kept as part of the theatre's accounts. An advertisement in The Spectator, 21 March 1711, noted that the Mercer's shop at the 'Blackamore's Head in Bedford Street, Covent Garden, was then run by Carew Reynell with his partners Tristram Huddleston, Isaac Spiltimber and Samuel Wrexham: 'the said Tristram Huddleston and Samuel Wrexham being removed from the Wheatsheaf in Bedford Street to the Blackamore's Head ... where there is the greatest variety of new silks of all kinds and from the highest to lowest prices.' |
| Associated objects |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.20-2008 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 12, 2008 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
