Dublin, William and Mary, Theatre Royal

Dublin, William and Mary, Theatre Royal, bronze pass, circa 1690, a shield bearing the Irish Harp, rev. monogram WMR, (William and Mary Rex), THE . MID. GAL, 28 mm, (DW. 3/25). Good fine and very rare. £325Ex. Panter Collection, Sotheby's 1929, lot 104

For more information, or to purchase, see:
www.historicmedals.com/viewItem.php?no=2003

Chelsea, The King's Private Roads

Chelsea, The King's Private Roads, bronze pass, 1731, GR with crown above, rev. monogram RA, THE/ KINGS/ PRIVATE/ ROADS/ 1731, 30 mm (DW 320/5), pierced for suspension. About extremely fine and very rare in this condition. £320

Originally a private road used by Charles II on his way to Hampton Court. Others could use it on the production of one of these passes. This was George III's favourite route to Kew and it ceased to be a private road only in 1830

For more information, or to purchase, see:
www.historicmedals.com/viewItem.php?no=1937

Stratford upon Avon, Shakespeare Jubilee Festival

Stratford upon Avon, Shakespeare Jubilee Festival, silver pass, 1769, by J. Westwood, draped bust of Shakespeare profile right, SHALL NOT LOOK UPON HIS LIKE AGAIN (A QUOTE TAKEN FROM HAMLET, ACT 1, SCENE 2, rev. JUBILEE/ AT STRATFORD/ IN HONOUR/ AND TO THE/ MEMORY OF/ SHAKESPEARE/ SEPTR 1769/ D. G. / STEWARD, 32 mm, (BHM. 136), pierced for suspension. Some marks, very fine and scarce. £350

The initials D. G. on the reverse refer to David Garrick, Steward for the event who, after the oratorio in the Stratford great church, led a procession to the ampitheatre and then presided over a grand lunch. The festivities concluded with various musical performances and songs set to music by Dibden and Arne, ending with and address and epilogue by Garrick.

The Gentleman's Magazine of 1769 carries a letter from a correspondent attending the Festival in which he states that "my dress consisted of ... a silver medal of Shakespeare, pendant from a sky blue ribbon round my neck.". Also present was James Boswell, who , in his report, makes a similar reference, "We all wore, hung in a blue ribband at our breasts, a medal of Shakespeare, very well cast by Mr Westwood of Birmingham. On one side was the head of Shakespeare, and round it this inscription We shall not look upon his like again ..."

For more information, or to purchase, see:
www.historicmedals.com/viewItem.php?no=1643

London , Drury Lane

London , Drury Lane, , bronze pass, 1776, , DRURY LANE/ UPPER GALLY/ 1776, 31mm (DW. 19/209). Good very fine and rare especially in this condition. £165

For more information, or to purchase, see:
www.historicmedals.com/viewItem.php?no=1293

London, Westminster Bridge Road, Royal Circus and Amphitheatre

London, Westminster Bridge Road, Royal Circus and Amphitheatre, bone pass, circa 1800, Royal Circus/ Admit Two / Mr. Betts, 69 x 48 mm. Good very fine and very rare. £750

For more information, or to purchase, see:
www.historicmedals.com/viewItem.php?no=1443