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DRURY LANE THEATRE Certificate of stock sale to George Henry Robins (1777-1847, auctioneer) of The Piazza, Covent Garden, large 4to on printed form with autogaph inserts. Dated 23 February 1813, the year after the theatre was rebuilt. Overall 270 x 292 mm. (ca. 10½ x 11½ inches). Robins was a great theatre-goer and enthusiast, befriending and helping needy comedians and their familes. He was eventually on the managing committees of both the Drury Lane and Covent Garden theatres. As an auctioneer, he was extremely successful, though his methods were controversial. Allowing 'rings', taking bids 'off the wall', and placing accomplices in the rooms made him a pioneer in auctioneering sharp practices. In 1833, he auctioned Edmund Kean's household furniture on the stage of the Richmond Theatre. Splits in the folds professionally consolidated. [No: 25946] The image links to a larger or more detailed version.
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