Here you'll find programmes and other memorabilia currently for sale.The most recent additions to the list are found at the top of the page.

This page only includes items which are currently FOR SALE. However, as the items which have already been sold form an interesting record of Gilbert, Sullivan and D' Oyly Carte performers in the nineteenth century, I have created an extensive archive, for researchers and collectors, with the material presented in date order, for ease of reference, including, where possible, opening night dates, run lengths and cast changes.

The Gondoliers

Pink "cheap-seats" programme with Esther Palliser as Gianetta, a role she played around 113 times during the 554 performance run, between 13 Sept 1890 and 3 Jan 1891. Other variants from the first night cast are: Barrett as Francesco, Burbank as Annibale, Lewis as Ottavio, and Saumarez as Giulia. £60

Iolanthe matinee

This blue programme, of the type issued to those in cheaper seats, dates from between February and August 1883, during which period Leila was played by Maud Cathcart. With no details of a curtain raiser, this programme was probably produced for a matinee. £60

Patience / Mock Turtles

This yellow paper programme for Patience at the Savoy uses completely different artwork to that more usually seen. Walter Browne plays the Colonel - otherwise the cast remains as opening night. £200

The Mikado souvenir

Dated 23rd January 1886, this elaborate souvenir has six coloured pages depicting scenes from the previous operas. The cover design was reused and adapted over the following years. All the information normally found in a programme appears on page two, the rest being images and advertisements. The most elaborate of all the early souvenir programmes. £200

The Grand Duke

Grand Duke programme dated 1st July 1896, towards the end of the run. All the original cast members were in place. £60

Pirates - first revival

The Pirates of Penzance was given its first revival on March 17th 1888. It closed on 6th June, after just 80 performances - one of the shortest runs in the nineteenth century for a G&S opera. This illustrated souvenir programme is dated 17th April 1888, and is reasonably priced, as still attached to an album page. £50

Ivanhoe

Cheap-seats version of the Ivanhoe programme, in poor condition. £30

Cox & Box with Fred Sullivan

This production of Cox & Box appeared at the Gaiety Theatre during the week of August 31st 1874. The composer's brother, Frederic Sullivan, played Cox, with Arthur Cecil as Box and J.G. Taylor as Bouncer, although the original theatre-goer has written "gone" next to Fred's name. The evening commenced with Offenbach's A Mere Blind and ended with the 2nd and 3rd acts of the same composer's The Princess of Trebizonde. £100

early Rutland Barrington appearance

This programme for a revival of Ticket-of-Leave Man at the Royal Olympic Theatre is dated Monday June 28th 1875, with a suggestion that it may have been produced for the first performance. Ellen (Nellie) Farren (see Thespis) played Sam Willoughby and Brunton was one "R. Barrington", presumably Rutland, appearing less than a year after his stage debut and before creating his first G&S character in The Sorcerer. £45

Gilbert's Dan'l Druce, Blacksmith was first produced at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. The three-act drama opened on 11th September 1876. Herman Vezin played the title role. £30

Most likely clipped from a letter, this is a good clean autograph of George Grossmith, originator of most of the patter roles. £30

Gilbert's final play, The Hooligan, was a dramatic one-act piece. It premiered, as part of a variety bill, at the London Coliseum on 27th February, 1911. Over the coming four weeks The Hooligan played twice daily, except for the week of 13th March, when it was only seen in the evenings, being replaced by The Man in the Street at matinees. It therefore appears to have been presented only 42 times before being withdrawn. This programme was produced for the first week. £100

Programme and book of words for Matched and Mated by F.C. Burnand with German Reed music, Our Table D'Hote by Corney Grain, and The Three Tenants by Gilbert A'Beckett and Reed. Savoy soprano Leonora Braham appeared in the first piece. They ran together from 6th to 20h November 1876. £45

Programme and book of words for A Happy Bungalow by Arthur Law and King Hall, with Edwin and Angelina by Corney Grain, and Number 204 by F.C. Burnand with German Reed music. Savoy soprano Leonora Braham appeared in the first and the last piece. They ran together from 11th June to 16th July 1877. £45

SULLIVAN TO GILBERT: autograph letter

Part of an important letter sent by Sullivan to Gilbert early in 1892, in which he reminds the author of his suggestion, ten years earlier, that they write a piece together set in Egypt. The letter also indicates that Sullivan witnessed a Dervish gathering, which would have course been invaluable when setting the Rose of Persia score a few years later. The letter is discussed at length on the supplementary page. Price reduced - now £1200.

Selected as the finale of the annual Actors Benevolent Fund Matinee, at Drury Lane on June 19th 1884, was a selection from Princess Ida, featuring Durward Lely, Charles Ryley and Henry Bracy. Also on the bill that afternoon were, among many others, Henry Irving, Ellen Terry, and Kate Vaughan. Madame Patey and Mr Santley also sang, and it is maybe not entirely coincidental that Richard D'Oyly Carte is named on the cover as Vice-President of the charity ! Price reduced - now £40.

THE MIKADO - FIRST REVIVAL

During the 116 performance run of the first Mikado revival there were a number of cast changes. This programme has Richard Temple in the title role, Geraldine Ulmar as Yum-Yum, Annie Cole as Pitti-Sing and Brandram, Grossmith and Barrington recreating their original parts. The curtain raiser was Mrs Jarramie's Genie. The revival opened at the Savoy on June 7th 1888 and ran until September 29th. The programme is printed on yellow paper. Price reduced - now £50.

SAILOR'S HOME MATINEE

On Tues December 11th 1900 the Garrick Theatre hosted a benefit matinee in aid of the Sailor's Home in Chatham, Kent. The usual mix of playlets and variety entertainment, George Grossmith performed some humorous songs and selections, and his brother Weedon appeared in his own comedy, A Commission. Dan Leno joined other great names of the day, including H.B. Irving, Martin Harvey and Hayden Coffin. Price reduced - now £30.

MACBETH RECITAL

On Wednesday afternoon, July 16th 1890, at St James's Hall, Henry Irving and Ellen Terry gave a recital of scenes from their production of Macbeth, first seen at the Lyceum in 1888. Sullivan had composed music specifically for this production, and at the 1890 recital a full orchestra played the pieces. This flyer for the event is printed on hand made paper. Price reduced - now £10.

The second revival of The Mikado, which opened at the Savoy on 6th Nov 1895. The production featured Rutland Barrington, Jessie Bond and Rosina Brandram in their original characters, and closed after 127 performances, on March 4th 1896. This programme is dated for 6th December. Price reduced - now £60.

GILBERT & SULLIVAN PAGEANT

A fundraising event in Watford in 1919, to raise funds for a local hospital, locals presented seven of the operas in pageant form, directed by W. Simms-Bull, former Stage Manager at the Savoy and on some of the D'Oyly Carte tours. The 36 page handbook includes his photograph, as well as casts and plots of the operas presented. Price reduced - now £8.

BILLEE TAYLOR in Liverpool

Steven's and Solomon's comic opera "Billee Taylor" was later toured by D'Oyly Carte, but in April 1881, when it appeared at the Alexandra Theatre in Liverpool, it was under the management of Charles Bernard. Price reduced - now £8.