Bitter Sweet
Flask
1929 (made)
1929 (made)
There is a long-standing theatrical tradition of actors giving one another presents on the first night of a production, and one of these whisky flasks was given by Noel Coward to each member of the cast of his operetta Bitter Sweet on the first night of the show in 1930. The flask is shaped like a book, inscribed ‘with best wishes Noel Coward’ in gold leaf on the front and with the title Bitter Sweet on the spine. One corner of the ‘book’ unscrews to reveal the opening of the flask.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Title | Bitter Sweet (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Gilt metal, leather and gold leaf |
| Brief description | Flask in the form of a book, red leather with gilt metal corners, stamped 'With best wishes Noel Coward', and spine, 'Bittersweet Noel Coward'. Given to cast members by Noel Coward to commemorate the play's opening night at His Majesty's Theatre, 18 July 1929. |
| Physical description | Red leather and gilt flask, with gilt corners, designed to look like a book. On the spine is the title of the play, 'Bitter-Sweet', and on the side is inscribed 'Best Wishes Noel Coward' in gold leaf. The top corner unscrews to reveal the opening of the flask. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Limited edition |
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Gallery label | Souvenir flask given by Noël Coward
1929
First night gifts are a long-standing theatrical tradition. Noël Coward gave one of these whisky flasks to each member of the cast on the first night of his operetta Bitter Sweet. The flask is inscribed 'with best wishes Noël Coward' and one corner of the 'book' unscrews to reveal its top.
His Majesty's Theatre, London
Gilt metal and leather
Given by Miss K.D. Hart
Museum no. S.2-1978(2008) |
| Credit line | Given by Miss K. D. Hart |
| Object history | RP 1977/2001 |
| Subject depicted | |
| Literary reference | Bitter Sweet by Noel Coward |
| Summary | There is a long-standing theatrical tradition of actors giving one another presents on the first night of a production, and one of these whisky flasks was given by Noel Coward to each member of the cast of his operetta Bitter Sweet on the first night of the show in 1930. The flask is shaped like a book, inscribed ‘with best wishes Noel Coward’ in gold leaf on the front and with the title Bitter Sweet on the spine. One corner of the ‘book’ unscrews to reveal the opening of the flask. |
| Other number | PPUK 1927 - PeoplePlay UK number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.2&A-1978 |
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| Record created | September 12, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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