This exceptionally early programme for the Gilbert and Sullivan short opera “Trial by Jury” was, according to an annotation by the original owner on the cover, issued at only the fifteenth performance of the piece after its 25 March 1875 premiere at the Royalty Theatre in Soho. Richard D'Oyly Carte is named on the front cover as “Manager”. The G&S piece was the final one on the bill that night, following the farce “A Good Night's Rest” and Offenbach's opera “La Perichole” which starred Selina Dolaro in the title role. In “Trial” the composer’s brother Frederic Sullivan played the Judge and not surprisingly at this early date all of those who created roles at the first performance are still named in the cast list. Fred Sullivan and others also appeared in the Offenbach opera. The four-sided 6” by 9.75” programme has embossed edges and an advert for Rimmel’s perfumery on the back cover. Removed from an album, it has tiny pin holes adjacent to the spine and there are some light marks and areas of mild foxing. It appears to have been folded on its way home in 1875 but will be shipped flat.

This item was formerly in the collection of John Cannon, the respected G&S collector and researcher who died in 2021. He left instructions that all collectors should have a chance to acquire the treasures in his collection, which will therefore be auctioned here over the next year or so by StageMemories and PaperJoys. Please let us know if you would like to be added to a mailing list, to be informed of all or specific items from John’s collection.