medal
- Museum number
- M.5119
- Description
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Bronze medal. (whole)
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Draped bust of John Kemble facing, bare head turned to left. (obverse)
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Inscription within open wreath, masks of tragi-comedy below. (reverse)
- Production date
- 1798
- Dimensions
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Diameter: 52.000 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
- Brown 1980 states:
John Philip Kemble (1757-1823) actor. He played as a child in his father's company but was in fact educated for the Roman Catholic priesthood at Sedgley and Douay. He appeared at Wolverhampton, Liverpool, York, Edinburgh and the Haymarket Theatre London. His repertoire was extensive and during his career Kemble presented over 120 characters, playing in many Shakespearian roles with his sister, Mary Siddons. He was manager at Covent Garden from 1803 until 1808 when the theatre was burned down. Kemble re-opened the theatre in 1809 with increased prices, thus giving rise to the 'old price' riots. For his farewell performance in 1817 he played Coriolanus following which he retired to Lausanne for health reasons. He died there in 1823.
These medals were offered for sale by Mr Young the coin dealer of 16 Ludgate Street, London, priced at 7/6 each. The smaller of the two medals omits the engraver's name below the bust.
- Location
- Not on display
- Associated events
- Commemoration of: Birthday of John Philip Kemble, 1798
- Department
- Money and Medals
- Registration number
- M.5119
- C&M catalogue number
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MB3 (Brown 1) (106) (446)