'Mr. Grimaldi, as Hock in The Sixes. As He appear'd in that Character at Sadlers Wells on the 17th of March 1828 when he took his farewell benefit at that theatre.' Hand colored engraving.
London: 1828. Wonderful engraving depicting Joseph Grimaldi (1778 - 1837), the most popular actor of the British Regency and London's favorite clown and comic entertainer.
Here is portrayed at his farewell performance at Sadler's Wells, which was sold out and highly profitable. Grimaldi is dressed as a sailor in a baggy white suit and cap, holding a bottle in one hand and throwing his left arm up in the air.
Grimaldi died only 10 years after his farewell performance. Charles Dickens, who had seen him preform in 1820, edited 'The Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi', which sold very well.
6 x 8". Toning to lower left margin; strong impression, original hand color. The copy in the BM (1900,1231.1247) uncolored; the V&A copy colored. O'Donoghue 1908-25 4. Not found in WorldCat. Good + overall. Item #24781
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