Huge antique theatre poster / playbill dated Feb 28th, 1848 for the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London - featuring Charles Kean and his wife, Ellen Tree, in The Wife's Secret.

The Wife's Secret is an 1846 historical play by the British writer, George William Lovell. It takes place in Dorset during the rule of Oliver Cromwell after the English Civil War.  It made its London debut at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on Jan 17th, 1848. (This playbill is dated just one month later.) The production had the eminent Victorian actor Charles Kean in the lead and the cast included his wife Ellen Kean (nee Tree) as Lady Eveline Amyott. Benjamin Webster, the actor / manager and leasee of this theatre played the role of Jabez Sneed. 

This playbill / poster measures 20" tall by 9.5" wide (50 cm x 25 cm). It is on the flimsiest, tissue-thin, white paper with black titling. 

Single horizontal fold and will be posted as such. There is a split (with no losses) across almost the entirety of this fold, so the poster is nearly splitting into two. Otherwise it is in good condition - please check photos for condition. This split will not show if the playbill is framed properly. In any case the condition will be reflected in the price.

Extremely scarce and a remarkable survivor - over 170 years old.

Worth £50-100 without the split. 

Nevertheless, an early Victorian Playbill featuring two of the Victorian stage's most famous husband and wife thespians - Chalres Kean and Ellen Tree.

 

£10 + Postage £3.50 UK, £9.50 Europe, £18.60 USA/world - Royal Mail, Air Mail, with proof of postage. Tracking would cost extra. I also combine postage on multiple items.