The Sir David Kirch Collection of Skit Notes

S.W.Fores No. 15, for Self, Catcall, Buglehorn, Trumpet, Bell, Rattle, Hiss & Groan, 1 Penny, 1 November 1818, promising to pay ‘Messrs Riches, Wantes & Jem Jackall or Bearer, when the Spirit of a London Audience shall have been subdued by A Hero of the Bushkin, Jew Vagrants & Thieftakers and when private Boxes of a Theatre shall be dedicated to Diana’, signed O.P. and Roarer Row, with a vignette showing a air of imbalanced scales and a grand building, and labelled ‘Justitia Impar’ (odd justice), ‘This is the house that Jack built!” and ‘Egomet! bos cum clitellis’ (Myself!, and something to do with a herd of cows!), staple holes at left, about extremely fine £100-£150

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

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This note is referring to the Old Price (O.P) Riots of 1809, at the Covent Garden theatre. The theatre burned down in 1808 and when it was rebuilt and reopened a year later, the owners increased the price. This went down very poorly and there were riots, resulting in a lowering of prices. As with several of the Fores notes, much of the relevance was surely lost by 1818.