Engraved and illustrated subscriber's admission concert ticket by Francis Haward after Robert Smirk for the Commemoration of Handel, third performance (the Messiah) at Westminster-Abbey, on Saturday 29 May 1784
Stipple engraving in dark brown ink within an oval frame depicting a young woman representing Britannia facing and gesturing to a monument to Handel in the background. A putti next to the woman drapes a floral arrangement over a headstone; a sad-faced lion to the figure's right looks at the viewer; Westminster Abby appears in the background.
With "THE DEAD SHALL LIVE. THE LIVING DIE" at head, with decorative floral motive with musical instruments and the words "MAY 29 MESSIAH 1784 to lower portion;" "SUBSCRIBERS TICKET West-Door" printed at lower left.
Sheet size 289 x 219 mm. Laid down to mat.
Worn, soiled, and creased; frayed at edges with some tears and paper loss.
Rare. Reproduced in Burney: "An Account of the Musical Performances in Westminster Abbey, and the Pantheon ... in Commemoration of Handel," London, 1785.
Simon: Handel A Celebration of his Life and Times 1685-1759, National Portrait Gallery, London, exhibition catalogue 1985-86, 238.
Item #40716
Price: $850.00 other currencies