British, Irish and World Banknotes

Bank of Merriment, Royal Grecian, a note denominated in FUN, advertising the seasonal pantomime at the Royal Grecian Theatre, 11 January 1854, serial number 1854, issued by B.O.Conquest, City Road, and with full details and billing on reverse, complete with wonderful vignettes of some of the players, (including a Mr. C. Webb), small repaired tear, overall good fine and an exceptional piece, very scarce
Outing unlisted £200-£260

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Sir David Kirch Collection of Skit Notes.

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Benjamin Oliver Conquest, born in 1803, was a very successful theatre manager, overseeing over 50 pantomimes at the Garrick and Grecian theatres over the course of his life.
The Morning Advertiser of 3 January 1854 lists performances commencing with a new drama, The Life of an Actress, and concluded with the new pantomime Harlequin Charity Brat, or, The Magic Christmas Piece.
This note combines elements of design from Bank of England notes of the day with a highly amusing spoof of the Bank of Ireland notes of the period, replacing the medusa heads with various harlequin faces.