Not on display

John Thomas-Haines as Brian de Bois-Guilbert in 'Ivanhoe'

Tinsel Print
19th Century (made)

Tinsel prints were created from etched portraits of theatrical stars in popular roles they played on the London stage. They were hand-painted in watercolour and decorated with scraps of material and tinsel additions. They were popular during the first half of the 19th century and were considered an adult, rather than a child's hobby. By the 1830s it was possible to buy the tinsel, leather and feather ornaments to go each image.

This tinsel print shows John Thomas-Haines, a popular early 19th century writer-actor, in the role of Brian de Bois-Guilbert, in Ivanhoe.Bois-Guilbert was a Templar Knight; as a Norman in 12th Century England, he is characterised in the story as a deceitful and conniving villain.

Object details

Category
Entertainment & Leisure
Object type
Tinsel print
TitleJohn Thomas-Haines as Brian de Bois-Guilbert in 'Ivanhoe' (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
tinsel, paper and ink
Tinsel
Paper
Ink
Engraving (Printing Process)
Brief description
Tinsel print of John Thomas Haines as Brian de Bois-Guilbert in Walter Scott's Ivanhoe
Physical description
Tinsel print of an actor holding a shield in his left hand, with right arm outstretched holding an axe. In the background is a castle.
Dimensions
  • Height: 25.8cm
  • Width: 20cm
Production typeMass produced
Gallery label
(March 2009 - March 2014)
Tinsel prints and scraps

One of the earliest forms of souvenirs was the tinsel print. These were not ready made, but had to be painstakingly assembled by gluing punched metal shapes and bits of cloth on to an engraving of a celebrity or character.

Another popular pastime was compiling scrapbooks. Sheets could be bought featuring a series of characters to be collected and pasted in as keepsakes. [63 words]
Tinsel print showing John Thomas Haines as Brian de Bois in Ivanhoe
About 1830
Paper and metal
Museum no. S.2037-1986

Book with sheets of pieces for tinsel prints
1800–1900
Paper and metal
Given by M.W. Stone Esq.
Museum no. S.34-1981

Scrap for a Shakespeare character card: Richard III
1800–1900
Printed card
Given by British Theatre Museum Association
Museum no. S.63-2008
Literary referenceBrian de Bois-Guilbert, character in Sir Walter Scott's <i>Ivanhoe</i>.
Summary
Tinsel prints were created from etched portraits of theatrical stars in popular roles they played on the London stage. They were hand-painted in watercolour and decorated with scraps of material and tinsel additions. They were popular during the first half of the 19th century and were considered an adult, rather than a child's hobby. By the 1830s it was possible to buy the tinsel, leather and feather ornaments to go each image.

This tinsel print shows John Thomas-Haines, a popular early 19th century writer-actor, in the role of Brian de Bois-Guilbert, in Ivanhoe.Bois-Guilbert was a Templar Knight; as a Norman in 12th Century England, he is characterised in the story as a deceitful and conniving villain.
Collection
Theatre and Performance Collection
Accession number
S.2037-1986

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Record createdJuly 1, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O158313/john-thomas-haines-as-brian-tinsel-print/
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