-Theatrical Memorabilia -Performing Arts Collection-Fred Mead
Collecting Theatrical Memorabilia :-For the past 40 years,I have been collecting memorablia relating to the Performing Arts.The Collection comprises of approximately 8500 items covering subjects such as Theatre, Opera, Ballet, Magic, Music Hall, 'Mystery' Plays, English Folk Drama, Kabuki, Noh, Guignol, Circus, Fairground, Puppetry and other associated areas such as Folklore, Customs and Traditions and even Witchcraft!
The collection includes:-
Approx 600 78rpm records of artists such as Ellen Terry, Sarah Bernhardt, Caruso, Melba, Tamagno, Alessandro Moreschi ; Circus Clown’s costume dating from 1960 worn by Jackie Sloan; costumes worn by Rudolf Nureyev; table drape used by Houdini; A 'production box' used by Chung Ling Soo; Charles Stratton's Calling Card; George Robey’s Walking Cane; water colour by Dan Leno; costume worn by Joan Sutherland; Antique Punch & Judy Puppets; Wayang Puppets; a wooden toy theatre dating from 1900; original autograph of Joseph Grimaldi; stage necklace worn by Ellen Terry; costumes from the Royal Opera & Ballet; costume worn by Conchita Supervia; John Ringling’s walking cane; a brass plaque that hung in David Devant’s hospital room in 1937; A large wooden fairground ‘rocking boat’,1910; fan used by Nellie Melba; vintage chair from Richard Wagner's House; Anna Pavlova's shoe stretchers; costumes from the Diaghilev Ballet; Tito Gobbi's Scarpia Tie and belt buckle worn as Rodrigo; bronze pass dated 1671 for Drury Lane Theatre; a piece of metal ‘rescued’ from the demolished Alhambra Theatre ,London; wooden stage dagger used by Edwin Booth; Various books, photos, engravings, autographs, letters & props etc.
I'm a member of the British Music Hall Society, The Circus Friends Association ,and The International Brotherhood of Magicians. I have the Gold Medal for Public Speaking from The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art as well as a Guildhall School of Music and Drama speaking Certificate. I enjoy giving talks about the collection to various groups and societies.
I should be delighted to hear from fellow collectors or enthusiasts of any of the Performing Arts.
Fred Mead. Upminster, Essex UK
fredmead@btinternet.com
