| |
| 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 repetoire 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 heath 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. |
| from British Historical
Medals, Volume I, pp. 106 |
| |
| This is one of the 52 mm examples as can be seen by the sculptor's name
showing up under the bust. |
