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Great Britain - 1798

Birthday of John Philip Kemble - 52mm

Obverse:

Draped bust of John Kemble facing, bare head turned to left. IOHANNES PHILIPPUS KEMBLE

Size:

52 mm.

Reverse:

Inscription within open wreath, masks of tragi-comedy below. TRAGŒDUS / ANGLICUS / ÆT . XLI . / MDCCXCVIII (The English tragedian, aged 41, 1798).

Vern's Comments:

This is one of the 52 mm examples as can be seen by the sculptor's name showing up under the bust.

BHM:

AE 52, AE 36 by J. Hancock.
AE (52) N; AE (36) N.
AM; BM; UM.

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

Birthday of John Philip Kemble - 52mm