Posters

For centuries before the introduction of film and radio and way before the television had even been invented. Theatre was amazing audiences all over the world. Shakespeare at the Globe, Chekhov and Ibsen in the nineteenth century, Miller and Tennesee Williams, the list is endless. During the Middle Ages, plays had been announced by processions of the performers themselves, sometimes accompanied by vexillators (people carrying banners to announce a play). Town-criers also announced performances, with actors beating drums or playing other instruments. For those who could read, brief hand-written details of performances were handed out and stuck to posts in towns, giving rise to the word 'poster', but the quickest way of attracting a crowd at that time was by word of mouth, and the sound of the drum and trumpet.

The first public theatre in England opened in London in 1576. Performances at the early theatres were announced by the distribution of handbills (small flyers circulated by hand), a drum procession through the streets, and by a flag hoisted at the theatre where the performance was taking place. Just before the start of a play, three trumpet calls were given at the theatre.

The earliest playbills, posters or programmes advertising plays, measured about 17.5 x 7.5 cms (7" x 3"). These were largely hand-written, though we know that some were printed by 1587.

Listed below are original posters, each with it's own letter of authenticity from the dealer and a brief description of it's condition and where it was displayed. Unique Art and a great investment. Please see each item for delivery and charges i.e framed/unframed, treated etc. These really are a vital piece of theatre history.