Theatre Actor Dramatic Prints Collection
Finding Aid & Inventory
The collection consists of 287 intaglio prints (primarily engravings and etchings) of British and American theatre actors, mostly portraits or the actors in character. Eight prints are framed and were displayed in the Wake Forest University Theatre Department.
Browse the Finding Aid & Inventory
Collection Overview
The collection represents a range of popular British and American theatre actors, including Shakespearean performers. Performers are portrayed in busts, half- to full-length portraits, scenes from plays, or in dramatic character. Actors, playwrights, dancers, theatrical managers, and popular performers are represented. Prints in the collection date from circa 1770 to 1840 and include engravings and etchings.
Summary Information
- Repository
- Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives
- Title
- Theatre Actor Dramatic Prints (Engravings) Collection
- ID
- MS581
- Date [inclusive]
- 1770-1840
- Extent
- 3.0 linear feet 287 intaglio prints in 4 half letter document boxes and 2 legal document boxes.
- Graphic materials [Box]
- 6
- Container
- 284-287
- Graphic materials [Box]
- 1
- Container
- 1-82
- Graphic materials [Box]
- 5
- Container
- 280-283
- Graphic materials [Box]
- 3
- Container
- 156-227
- Graphic materials [Box]
- 2
- Container
- 83-155
- Graphic materials [Box]
- 4
- Container
- 228-279
Administrative Information
- Publication Information
- Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives June 2010
- Access Note
- Collection is open to research.
- Custodial History
- Origin of the collection is unknown but presumed to be assembled by library or college staff before 1990. Framed prints were hung in the Theatre Department prior to 1976.
- Processing Information
- Collection arranged and described by Rebecca Petersen and Audra Eagle, 2010.
- Preferred Citation
- Theatre Actor Dramatic Prints Collection, MS 581, Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
- Preferred Citation
- Theatre Actor Dramatic Prints Collection, MS 581, Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
Controlled Access Headings
Genre(s)
- Actors--Great Britain--Portraits--1775-1875
- Actors--United States--Portraits--1775-1875
- intaglio printing
- Shakespearean actors and actresses
- Theatrical managers--Portraits--1775-1875
Note on Descriptive Information
In many cases, Lillian Arvilla Hall's Catalogue of Engraved Dramatic Portraits in the Theatre Collection of the Harvard College Library (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1932) is the source for the identification of many of the performers.