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Born in Germany, educated in England, RICHARD MANSFIELD (1857-1907) set his sights on becoming a great painter, but became a great actor, instead, and one of America's most popular performers. At the age of 22, with only limited stage experience, he joined Richard D'Oyly Carte's Comedy Opera Company, appearing as Sir Joseph Porter in the touring production of "H.M.S. Pinafore." He went on to play many leading Gilbert & Sullivan comic "patter" roles.
In 1882, Mr. Mansfield came to the U.S. where he made his New York stage debut with the D'Oyly Carte, but soon thereafter turned to the legitimate stage, joining A. M. Palmer's Union Square Theatre, achieving notable success as Baron Chevrial in "A Parisian Romance." Although he occasionally reprised his popular Gilbert & Sullivan roles, his greatest successes were in "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," "Richard III," "Cyrano de Bergerac," and "Monsieur Beaucaire," all of which he also produced. He went on to produce and star in George Bernard Shaw's "Arms and the Man" and "The Devil's Disciple."
As both actor and producer, the multi-talented Mr. Mansfield was at the top of his game when he died of liver cancer at the age of 50.
DESCRIPTION: Cigar box inner label • 9" x 6-1/2" • Heavy paper stock for a stunning embossed image of actor-producer Richard Mansfield • Handsome oval frame, the color of walnut, is richly decorated with gold • complimented by superb tragedy/comedy masks and a facsimile of Mr. Mansfield's signature beneath the words "By Permission" • Beneath the frame are the words "Title and Design Owned by J. S., Cleve- land, Ohio" • Label is in EXCELLENT CONDITION: A mark on the back has left an impression on the front, at left on the top edge • Otherwise, no rough edges, beds or tears; just a little riffling at the corners.
Footnote: As you can see from the second photo, on the back, written in pencil, as near as we can make it out: I. O. E. Edge(s?) OK with probably the writer's initials. There are also two sets of numbers: 19806 over what is probably a date: 5/12/26. We suspect that, at some point in its history, this label was a file copy.
PRICE INCLUDES SHIPPING.
Be sure to see our other Richard Mansfield cigar box label, as well as our 2 Richard Mansfield photo post cards. And while you're at it, take a look at all our theater items. New ones are being added all the time.
