Antique tinsel print Mr Kemble as Henry V

This exquisite antique Victorian tinsel print is a highly detailed example of nineteenth-century theatrical memorabilia. It depicts the renowned actor Mr Kemble in his celebrated role as King Henry V, rendered as a hand-coloured lithograph and lavishly embellished with hand-applied "tinsel" ornaments. The print is a riot of texture and shimmer, with hundreds of tiny metallic beads and foils used to define the intricate embroidery of his royal surcoat, the jewelled collar, and the elaborate trim of his ermine-lined robes.

The character is captured in a classic theatrical pose, with the tinsel work adding a dramatic, three-dimensional quality that would have caught the light beautifully when displayed in a Victorian parlour. Like the "Edward the Black Prince" print, this was a bespoke piece of folk art, painstakingly decorated by an enthusiast to create a unique and glittering homage to a hero of the British stage.

The condition of the tinsel work is remarkable, with the delicate metallic elements remaining securely in place and retaining much of their original lustre. This print is a significant piece of social and theatrical history, offering a rare glimpse into the popular domestic pastimes of the Victorian era. It would make a superb addition to any collection of antique prints, theatrical ephemera, or fine Victorian folk art.