Later Victorian Portraits Catalogue

I. IN PRIVATE CHARACTER
Paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints
Photographs
II. IN STAGE CHARACTER (alphabetically by play)
Footnotes

I. IN PRIVATE CHARACTERback to top

Paintings, drawings, sculptures and printsback to top

1850s
Miniature by unidentified artist, oval, head-and-shoulders, to front; untraced. Repr. Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, facing p.24, entitled ‘Girlhood’.

publ. 1873
Design by ‘RT’ (monogram), head-and-shoulders, half-profile to left, wearing soft cap tied with wide ribbon; untraced. Repr. as wood engr. Illustrated Review, 21 Aug. 1873, front cover.

1879
Marble bust, 700mm high, by Count Gleichen, signed and dated on back ‘G / 1879’, inscr. on supporting column ‘H.S.H. COUNT GLEICHEN / PRESENTED TO THE GARRICK CLUB / BY S.B. BANCROFT’, bust-length, swathed in shawl, wearing day-dress with high collar, buttons and decorative frogging; Garrick Club, London, S0001. Exh. RA 1880 (1583); ref. Bancroft & Bancroft 1888, vol.2, pp.170, 216; repr. Ashton 1997, p.506.

A companion to the bust of Squire Bancroft (see ‘BANCROFT, Sir Squire, All known portraits, In private character, Paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints, 1880’). According to the Garrick Club online catalogue, it is likely that the pair were commissioned to mark the Bancrofts’ first season at the Haymarket Theatre in 1880, and to be placed in the foyer.

late 1870s
Oil on canvas by Thomas Jones Barker; see NPG 2122.

1880
Caricature by Alfred Bryan, ‘He has made his mark in the upper circle’, half-face peeping from behind stage pillar, holding pug dog, Squire Bancroft standing on left; untraced. Repr. Entr’Acte, 7 Feb. 1880; see MEPL, London, 11016420.

1884
Pen and ink portrait chargé by Phil May, signed and dated, whole-length seated, in composite design; untraced. Repr. Society, Dec. 1884, p.49, captioned ‘The Seven Ages of Society’, Marie Bancroft no.151 in key; cutting coll. Garrick Club, London, Fitzgerald Irving scrapbooks, vol.6, p.386.

See also S. Bancroft, Forbes-Robertson, Irving.

1897–1900
Oil on canvas, 1677 x 2287mm, by Laurits Regner Tuxen, The Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, 28 June 1897, head only visible in crowd; Royal Coll., RCIN 405286. Exh. Painting Paradise: The Art of the Garden, Queen’s G., London, 2015.

See also S. Bancroft, Irving.

Study for above work, 1000 x 750mm, depicting Marie and Squire Bancroft; priv. coll., Denmark. Exh. National History M., Copenhagen, 1990 (64, ill.).

before 1899
Ink and gouache caricature by Alfred Bryan, inscr. on mount ‘The Object water-colour drawing of Mr & Mrs Bancroft / by the late (celebrated Caricaturist) Alfred Bryan’, whole-length to front, wearing blue walking-dress and hat, standing to the right of Squire Bancroft; V&A, London, S.717-1997.

c.1900
Oil painting, 736 x 620mm, by unidentified artist after photograph by Window & Grove (see below, ‘In private character, Photographs, c.1890’), half-length wearing jewelled choker, pendant and brooch and holding closed fan; RSC Coll., Stratford-upon-Avon, STRPG:A: 1993.126.

1914
Oil on canvas, 1130 x 1510mm, by (John) Byam Liston Shaw, Design for the New Act Drop for the London Coliseum, signed and dated, half-length, to front, in centre foreground, with numerous other theatrical, musical and artistic celebrities represented in an architectural setting; English National Opera, London. Exh. RA 1914 (536); Byam Shaw, Ashmolean M., Oxford, 1986 (29, ill.); and Edwardian Opulence, Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, CT, 2013 (55, ill. with key [no.27]). Repr. Sketch, 6 May 1914, p.133.

The full-size act drop was destroyed.

See also Alexander, Alma-Tadema, Anderson, S. Bancroft, Campbell, Farren, Forbes-Robertson, Hare, Irving, Leighton, Leno, Millais, Terry, Tree, Waller, Watts, Whistler, Wyndham.

undated
Pencil drawing by Beatrice Ward, three-quarter-length, profile to right, seated in high-backed chair by window, reading; untraced. Ref. Bancroft 1925, p.94; repr. Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, frontispiece.

Photographsback to top

c.1857
Photograph by Window & Grove, head-and-shoulders, to front, hair in high wings. Repr. Strand, vol.1, 1891, p.159, captioned ‘Age 18’.

late 1850s
Albumen carte-de-visite, 86 x 57mm, by Henry William Gladwell, whole-length seated, to left, beside small table, turning to face camera, holding book; prints colls NPG x210, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton’; V&A, London, S.142:17-2007, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Gladwell’; and Blomfield Coll. (hand-coloured print).

Carte-de-visite, 86 x 61mm, attributed to Charles Clarkington, nearly whole-length standing, holding back of upright chair to left, wearing dark silk gown with full sleeves, lace collar and cuffs; V&A, London, S.142:10-2007, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Clarkington’.

1859–60
Albumen carte-de-visite, 90 x 60mm, by Clarkington & Co., whole-length standing, to front, before low balustrade, wearing wide flounced crinoline and light-coloured mantle, carrying small parasol; V&A, London, S.142:14-2007, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Clarkington’.

Cartes-de-visite by Camille Silvy, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Silvy’, whole-length with high chair, tall pillar and curtain, wearing wide flounced crinoline and bodice with pagoda sleeves, two known poses:
(a) standing to left, head turned to camera, right arm resting on draped chair; prints colls V&A, S.142:26-2007 and S.142:32-2007; Garrick Club, London, Millar Album IV/23; and Blomfield Coll. (where annotated ‘Strand Theatre pre-1865’.).
(b) to front, leaning against draped chair, left foot on stool; prints colls V&A, London, S.142:30-2007; and Blomfield Coll.

Cartes-de-visite by Camille Silvy, whole-length, standing beside fluted half-column wearing wide flounced crinoline with checked panels and long sash over left shoulder, two similar poses; V&A, London, S.142:25-2007, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / (by Silvy / printed by A Beau / Adolphe Beau)’, and S.142:31-2007, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft / Silvy)’.

Cartes-de-visite by Camille Silvy, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Silvy’, whole-length, standing beside fluted half-column, wearing riding habit and beaver hat with hair in net; three known poses:
(a) back to column, whip lowered in left hand; V&A, London, S.142:27-2007.
(b) right elbow resting on column; V&A, London, S.142:28-2007.
(c) beside column, holding whip in right hand across body; V&A, London, S.142:29-2007.

1860–61
Carte-de-visite by unidentified photographer, whole-length, standing, wearing wide crinoline under large dark mantle trimmed with quilting and bonnet with wide ribbons, holding closed parasol; formerly with Paul Frecker.

c.1861
Carte-de-visite, 90 x 59mm, possibly by Alfred Henry Wall, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / and Blanche Wilton / (Mrs Colette) / from W.H. Thomas / Collection’, whole-length, standing, to left, head turned to camera, wearing heavy watered silk crinoline with large padded sleeves, in front of low balustrade, with Blanche Wilton standing to left behind balustrade, mountains and lake on studio backdrop; V&A, London, S.142:21-2007.

Cartes-de-visite by Adolphe Beau, standing wearing heavy watered silk crinoline with large padded sleeves (as in preceding item), with tall plinth and urn, four known poses:
(a) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / 1st Portrait / 2”’, whole-length, left arm resting on plinth, right hand down holding ?posy; V&A, London, S.142:9-2007.
(b) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Adolphe Beau’, whole-length, with back to plinth, smiling, hands folded at waist; V&A, London, S.142:11-2007.
(c) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Adolphe Beau’, half-length, hands clasped, smiling; V&A, London, S.142:13-2007.
(d) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Heath + Beau’, whole-length leaning, left arm against plinth, smiling, hands clasped; V&A, London, S.142:15-2007.

1861–3
Albumen carte-de-visite, 92 x 57mm, by Heath & Beau, blind stamped ‘Adolphe Beau’, whole-length, to right, head turned towards camera, smiling, leaning over table with playscript; prints colls NPG x209; Blomfield Coll.; and V&A, London, S.142:50-2007, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft / Adolphe Beau’). Repr. Whyte 1898, after p.158 (credited to Adolphe Beau); and Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, facing p.56.

1862–6
Albumen carte-de-visite by William Walker & Sons, head vignette, to front, neat hair with centre parting, wearing velvet ribbon with locket above small lace collar; NPG x197064.

See NPG Portrait Set ‘Terence Pepper gift: photographs, prints and drawings, 1808-2008’.

early 1860s
Cartes-de-visite by Horatio Nelson King, in fashionable dress, four known poses:
(a) 93 x 57mm, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / (H N King Bath)’, whole-length standing, to front, wearing wide trimmed mantle over wide crinoline, holding hat, standing between decorated screen and brocade drape; V&A, London, S.142:46-2007.
(b) 93 x 60mm, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / H N King / Bath)’, variant of (a), wearing hat; V&A, London, S.142:52-2007.
(c) 95 x 57mm, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / H N King / Bath’), whole-length standing, to front, right arm on plinth, wearing wide, patterned and flounced crinoline and pale bodice with dark trim; V&A, London, S.142:48-2007.
(d) 93 x 56mm, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / Lady Bancroft / H N King / Bath’, seated, wearing same dress as in pose (c), holding photograph album to left, screen and drape as in pose (a); V&A, London, S.142:54-2007.

?mid-1860s
Cartes-de-visite by Elliott & Fry, standing, to right, wearing small hat tied with long ribbon, short cape with fringes, four known poses:
(a) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Elliott & Fry’, half-length, half-profile to right, hands clasped at waist; V&A, London, S.142:86-2007.
(b) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / (From WH Thraves / Collection) / Elliott & Fry’, similar to (a), turned slightly to front; V&A, London, S.142:80-2007.
(c) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / (from Miss Dick’s Collection) / Elliott & Fry’, three-quarter-length, profile to right, hands on painted flower-bucket; V&A, London, S.142:83-2007.
(d) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft)’, three-quarter-length, profile to right, right arm lowered, holding cane; V&A, London, S.142:148-2007.

Cartes-de-visite by Samuel Alexander Walker, three known poses:
(a) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Walker’), three-quarter-length, profile to left, wearing dark dress and holding white scarf; V&A, London, S.142:2-2007.
(b) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Walker’, three-quarter-length, to left, turned to camera, wearing dark hat and pale dress; V&A, London, S.142:3-2007.
(c) head-and-shoulders, to front, wearing striped day-dress and velvet neck ribbon with locket; Blomfield Coll. Repr. Strand, vol.1, 1891, p.159, where attributed to Walker & Sons and captioned ‘Age 27’.

c.1867
Photograph by unidentified photographer, whole-length seated, to left, head turned to camera, arms resting on table to left, wearing dark silk crinoline. Repr. Blomfield 2013, p.155, where dated to around the time of the Bancrofts’ marriage.

c.1867–70
Cartes-de-visite by Frederick Richard Window and/or Window & Grove, three-quarter-length beside tasselled arm of upholstered chaise-longue, three known poses:
(a) 87 x 57mm, looking to camera, right arm and left elbow on chairback, left hand to cheek; V&A, London, S.142:87-2007, attributed to Window & Grove. Repr. Duncan 1964, pl.12a (slightly cropped), where attributed to F.R. Window; and Blomfield 2013, p.77, where dated c.1867.
(b) 89 x 57mm, eyes looking to left, both hands resting on chairback; V&A, London, S.142:84-2007, attributed to F.R. Window.
(c) 88 x 57mm, looking to left, left arm as in (a), right arm to side, holding opened lace fan; V&A, London, S.142:81-2007, attributed to F.R. Window.

Carte-de-visite by Elliott & Fry, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / From WH Thraves Collection / Elliott & Fry’, half-length, resting on roll-arm sofa, wearing hat with dark veil, pale jacket with epaulette, holding pug dog; V&A, London, S.142:97-2007.

Carte-de-visite by Elliott & Fry, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / From Julian Moore’s / Collection / Elliott & Fry’, bust-length, to front, wearing velvet ribbon at throat, hat or bonnet with lifted white lace veil; V&A, London, S.142:92-2007.

1869
Cartes-de-visite by Elliott & Fry, wearing velvet hair bow and velvet choker, three known poses:
(a) 92 x 58mm oval, three-quarter-length, to left, seated looking down at infant son George Pleydell Bancroft on right knee; prints colls V&A, London, S.142:93-2007; and Blomfield Coll. (large format, hand-coloured). Repr. Blomfield 2013, p.272. George P. Bancroft was born Nov. 1868.
(b) 90 x 57mm, half-length, half-profile to left; NPG x208.

See NPG Portrait Set ‘Elliott & Fry cartes-de-visite, 1860s–90s’.

(c) 92 x 59mm, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Elliott & Fry’, half-length, profile to left; V&A, London, S.142:94-2007.

c.1870
Carte-de-visite by unidentified photographer, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / with George Bancroft / Arthur Williams’ Collection’, nearly whole-length standing, holding up son George on arm of chair; V&A, London, S.142:78-2007.

c.1873
Photographs by Window & Grove, wearing fitted velvet gown with bustle and train, two known poses:
(a) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / 1873’, whole-length to front, left hand resting on small table, Japanese-style fan on floor; V&A, London, S.142:100-2007.
(b) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / 1873’, half-length to left, both hands on small table, wearing hat with lifted white veil; V&A, London, S.142:150-2007.

c.1874
Carte-de-visite by Window & Grove, half-length, to front, head turned to left, wearing high-necked day-dress with large pleated cuffs, left hand resting on book; prints colls NPG Ax18187; and V&A, London, S.142:154-2007, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / this photograph was given by her / to Ellen Terry whose daughter / Edith Craig gave it to me. / See back of photographers card / with autograph inscription to / E.T. in the book’.

Oval vignette in decorated card; Garrick Club, London, Henry Neville Album, no.22.

c.1877
Cartes-de-visite by Window & Grove, wearing jewelled choker, nine known poses:
(a) half-length, to left, facing camera, wearing high straw hat decorated with flowers and holding small flower basket to left; V&A, London, S.142:177-2007. Repr. as head-and-shoulders vignette engr. Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News, 17 May 1879, front cover.
(b) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / Lady Bancroft / 1877’, head-and-shoulders vignette, wearing hat and looking slightly to left; V&A, London, S.142:179-2007.
(c) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / Lady Bancroft / Window & Grove’, three-quarter-length standing, looking left, wearing hat and holding flower-basket to front; V&A, London, S.142:181-2007.
(d) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / Lady Bancroft / Window & Grove’, three-quarter-length standing, looking left, hands clasped at waist, no hat; V&A, London, S.142:182-2007.
(e) head-and-shoulders vignette, looking to camera, no hat; prints colls V&A, London, S.142:180-2007, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / Lady Bancroft / Window & Grove’; and Folger Shakespeare L., Washington, DC, digital image 20920, autographed by sitter and annotated by William Winter.

Oval vignette; Gettysburg Coll., Dietz Album.

(f) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / 1877 / Window & Grove / from Mrs G E Morrison’s / Collection’, three-quarter-length, to front, seated with right hand to head, no hat; V&A, London, S.142:175-2007.
(g) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Window & Grove’, bust-length, looking left, no hat, wearing elaborate necklace and cross, hair as in NPG x213 (see below, ‘In private character, Photographs, c.1878); V&A, London, S.142:153-2007.
(h) inscr. ‘Squire Bancroft / and Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Window & Grove’, three-quarter-length standing, hands on shoulders of Squire Bancroft, seated to left; V&A, London, S.142:183-2007.
(j) as pose (h), turned further to left, clasped hands on Squire’s left shoulder; V&A, London, S.142:185-2007. Repr. Blomfield 2013, p.173.

c.1880s
Carte-de-visite by Window & Grove, inscr. on front ‘Yours ever / Marie Bancroft / 1880’ and on back ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / from Marion Terry’s / Collection’, half-length vignette, to left, wearing same high straw hat as in pose (a) above but different dress; V&A, London, S.142:162-2007.

c.1878
Albumen prints by ?Window & Grove, wearing pale scarf over dark dress, hair coiled on crown and frizzed fringe, three known poses:
(a) 73 x 59mm, head-and-shoulders, gaze to right; NPG x213.
(b) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft)’, head and shoulders, gaze to left; V&A, London, S.142:155-2007, attributed to Window & Grove.
(c) three-quarter-length standing, to right (gaze not as in (a)), both hands touching open book on lectern. Repr. as sepia lithograph by Vincent Brooks, Day & Son, Piccadilly Portraits, 1889 (no further details); print MEPL, London, 10086257.

c.1881
Cartes-de-visite by Window & Grove, three-quarter-length standing, wearing dark silk gown with chequered weave and toque-style hat, three known poses:
(a) oval, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Window & Grove’, to front, hands by side; V&A, London, S.142:188-2007.
(b) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / 1881’, profile to right; V&A, London, S.142:200-2007.
(c) to front, wearing fringed mantle, right hand holding large dark fringed parasol, painted background of trees; prints colls V&A, London, S.142:201-2007, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / Window & Grove’); and MEPL, London, 10085942. Repr. Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, facing p.200.

c.1885
Photographs by Herbert Rose Barraud, wearing close-fitting garment with three-quarter sleeves over embroidered bodice, four known poses:
(a) half-length to front, arms folded, leaning on plinth, wearing dark velvet hat with bird-wing ornament; V&A, London, S.142:172-2007, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Barraud’, and S.142:191-2007 (cropped version).
(b) half-length to front, no hat; engr. and printed in reverse by Direct Photo Engraving Co.; prints colls Blomfield Coll.; and NPG SB (Bancroft).
(c) three-quarter-length, to front, seated clasping own wrists, with Squire Bancroft seated to right on arm of chair; vignette, inscr. with sitters’ signatures and dated 20 July 1885, NPG x1525.

Woodburytype, slightly cropped from foot, publ. 1 July as by Carson & Comerford, with facsimile signatures, printed border and caption ‘If we do meet again, why, we shall smile / If not, why then, this parting was well made. / Julius Caesar’; prints NPG x203, NPG x6405 and NPG Ax29219; repr. The Theatre, 1 Aug. 1885 (and said to have been taken expressly for this periodical).

(d) seated, with Squire Bancroft to right on arm of chair; V&A, London, S.142:203-2007
(e) carte-de-visite, 81 x 59mm, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / and Squire Bancroft’, three-quarter-length standing, hands lightly clasped, no hat, Squire standing to right; V&A, London, S.142:187-2007, where attributed to Window & Grove. Repr. Blomfield 2013, p.257, ‘around the time of their retirement’ [1885].

publ. 1889
Carbon print, 249 x 181mm, by Walery, inscr. with facsimile signature ‘Marie E Bancroft’, three-quarter-length standing, half-profile to left, right hand to waist, left hand by side holding mantilla; prints colls NPG x5160, NPG x8453 and NPG Ax38305; and V&A, London, S.142:212-2007, slightly cropped from sides, no facsimile signature, inscr. ‘With Love From / Mrs B’ and ‘Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / Walery’. Repr. Walery 1888–96, vol.2.

See also below, ‘In private character, Photographs, reg. 1899’.

c.1890
Carte-de-visite by Window & Grove, half-length, looking to left, wearing jewelled choker, pendant and brooch, low-cut gown in striped silk or satin with puffed shoulders, left arm across waist holding closed fan; see Photographers Direct 2763351.

Bust-length vignette, 144 x 104mm, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Window & Grove’; V&A, London, S.142:205-2007. Repr. Arthur 1936, facing p.36.

For the oil portrait after this photograph, see above, ‘In private character, Paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints, c.1900’.

publ. 1894
Carbon print, 139 x 93mm, by W. & D. Downey, three-quarter-length standing, looking to left, wearing dark gloves and fur-lined cape; prints colls NPG Ax27909; and V&A, London, S.142:206-2007. Repr. Downey & Downey 1890–94, 5th ser., between pp.44–5.

See NPG Portrait Set ‘The Cabinet Portrait Gallery: photographs by W. & D. Downey, published 1890–94’

reg. 1896
Cartes-de-visite by Alfred Ellis, reg. for copyright 1896 Dec. 3, four known poses:
(a) three-quarter-length, standing behind Squire Bancroft seated; National Archives (COPY 1/427/867).
(b) three-quarter-length standing, looking down to left, right hand on shoulder of Squire Bancroft seated to left; National Archives (COPY 1/427/868); print V&A, London, S.142:208-2007, inscr. ‘The Bancrofts / 1897’. Repr. Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, facing p.440, captioned ‘“Darby and Joan”’; and Blomfield 2013, p.321, as ‘in retirement’.
(c) three-quarter-length profile to left, seated holding up book; National Archives (COPY 1/427/869); William Andrews Clark Memorial L., UCLA, anonymous autograph album ‘Celebrities’, with accompanying autograph dated 1897.
(d) head-and-shoulders, three-quarter profile; National Archives (COPY 1/447/870).

reg. 1899
Photographs by Walery; reg. for copyright by Alfred Ellis 1899 May 29: National Archives (COPY 1/440/504), two known poses:
(a) ‘Photograph of Mr and Mrs Bancroft, cabinet size No 23446, ¾ length figures, lady [Marie Bancroft] standing looking at gentleman, with right hand on gentleman’s right shoulder.’
(b) ‘Photograph of Mr and Mrs Bancroft, cabinet size No 23447, ¾ length figures, gentleman sitting with pen in right hand.’

These images may date from 1889 (see above, ‘In private character, Photographs, publ. 1889’).

1890s
Photograph by unidentified photographer, three-quarter-length, to front, wearing small hat with butterfly brooch, holding dark Pekinese dog. Repr. Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, facing p.322.

Photograph by unidentified photographer, half-length, to left, wearing small dark turban-style hat, dark costume with beaded panels and dangling eyeglass; V&A, London, S.142:211-2007.

reg. 1900
Photograph, 150 x 100mm, by Nansen & Co., three-quarter-length to front, hands in muff; reg. for copyright by Minnie Emma Nansen 1900 Mar. 29: National Archives (COPY 1/445/205).

c.1918–19
Photograph by unidentified photographer, whole-length standing on step outside front door, smiling, left arm extended to Squire Bancroft standing to right. Repr. unidentified newspaper; and Blomfield 2013, p.328, as ‘the last picture together’.

undated
Photograph by Elliott & Fry, half-length standing, to front, wearing straw hat piled with flowers, lace jabot, three-quarter-length pagoda sleeves, small bag on left wrist, left hand holding long-stemmed flowers; MEPL, London, 10085944.

Carte-de-visite by James Russell & Sons, inscr. ‘Affectionately yours / Marie Effie Bancroft / 1902’, soft-focus head-and-shoulders vignette, looking left, wearing hat with ?flowers; Garrick Club, London, Photographs Box A.

Photograph by unidentified photographer, whole-length standing, looking to left, right hand raised, left hand holding handkerchief and cane, wearing dark silk dress, dark velvet jacket with leg-of-mutton sleeves, dark hat with feathers. Repr. Bancroft 1939, facing p.260.

II. IN STAGE CHARACTER (alphabetically by play)back to top

Aladdin (as ‘Aladdin’)

Photographs

1861
Albumen cartes-de-visite by Alfred Henry Wall, four known poses:
(a) 87 x 55mm, publ. by Thomas Hailes Lacy, whole-length standing, to front, before low balustrade, wearing simple theatrical costume and hat; prints colls NPG x211; and V&A, London, S.142:22-2007, inscr. ‘[?]Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / as “Aladdin”’ and attributed to A.H. Wall & Co. Repr. Blomfield 2013, p.50.
(b) 89 x 60mm, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as Aladdin / Gr…n / Islington’, whole-length standing against plain background, wearing simple costume and hat; V&A, London, S.142:23-2007.

Unsigned engr. based on this image, without background, captioned ‘Miss Wilton, in “Aladdin”’; NPG SB (Bancroft).

(c) 90 x 59mm, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as “Aladdin” / Strand Theatre / 186– / from W.H.Travers collection / A H Wall & Co’, whole-length standing, to front, left elbow on chairback, wearing elaborate oriental costume and hat, with other accessories; V&A, London, S.142:20-2007.
(d) 89 x 54mm, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as Aladdin / Arthur Williams Collection / A H Wall & Co’, whole-length standing, looking to right, left hand on chairback, wearing elaborate costume and hat, with other accessories; V&A, London, S.142:18-2007.

Marie played Aladdin at the Strand Theatre in 1861. The same studio accessories of draped curtain and paper flower wreath are seen in poses (a), (c) and (d), while (b) shows same costume as (a) but different carpet.

Belphegor the Mountebank (as ‘Henri’)

Photographs

1856
Albumen carte-de-visite by Herbert Watkins; see NPG P301(69).

Caste (as ‘Polly Eccles’)
Opened 6 Apr. 1867 and revived in 1871, 1879 and 1883.

publ. 1883
Caricature by ‘Jack’, whole-length, right arm outstretched holding kettle; untraced. Repr. as chromolithograph in supplement to Society, 7 Apr. 1883, with facsimile signature ‘Faithfully yours / Marie E Bancroft’, printed caption ‘Corporal, there’s the kettle! take it into the back kitchen – Oh, I’m coming too’ and title lower left ‘“Society” Bijou Portraits / no.14. Mrs Bancroft / as Polly Eccles in “Caste”’; prints colls NPG D8737 and NPG D8738; and V&A, London, S.890-2011.

See NPG Portrait Set ‘MacDonnell Collection’.

Photographs

1867
Photograph by unidentified photographer, three-quarter-length, kneeling beneath table, looking up to left, John Hare in similar posture to right. Repr. Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, facing p.96, captioned ‘Marie Bancroft and John Hare in “Caste” / “Oh, the ghost! – the ghost!”’; Bancroft 1939, facing p.264; and Blomfield 2013, p.112.

Photograph taken in 1867 or 1871.

1871
Photographs by Henry William Ashdown, three known poses:
(a) inscr. ‘John Hare & / Marie Wilton / Lady Bancroft / in “Caste” / revival 1871 / Henry Ashdown’, half-length, to front, smiling, holding letter, standing beside seated John Hare; V&A, London, S.142:72-2007. Repr. Strand, vol.35, 1908, p.523.
(b) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / and John Hare / in “Caste” (revival) / Prince of Wales Theatre / September 1871 / Henry Ashdown’, whole-length, to front, holding letter beside seated Hare; V&A, London, S.142:75-2007.
(c) whole-length standing, arms crossed at waist, with Hare to left; Mander & Mitchenson Coll., U. of Bristol (no further details). Repr. Mander & Mitchenson 1957, pl.306.

Diplomacy (as ‘Countess Zicka’)
Opened at Prince of Wales’s Theatre 12 Jan. 1878.

Photographs

1878
Photographs by Window & Grove, wearing fashionable dress with elaborate vertical braiding and train, four known poses:
(a) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / as Countess Zicka / in “Diplomacy” / Window & Grove’, ‘With kind love / from yours ever / Marie Bancroft’, and ‘Autograph taken from / back of photograph / given to Ellen Terry’, whole-length standing, hands lightly clasped; V&A, London, S.142:144-2007.
(b) whole-length, profile to left, kneeling at desk opening small case; V&A, London, S.142:160-2007. Repr. Mander & Mitchenson 1957, pl.310.
(c) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / and Roma la Thiere / in Diplomacy / Window & Grove’, whole-length standing, holding letter, to right of Roma Guillon Le Thière; V&A, London, S.142:157-2007.
(d) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / as Countess Zicka / in “Diplomacy” / with Arthur Cecil / as Baron Stein / Window & Grove’, whole-length seated, right hand to head in attitude of dejection, Arthur Cecil seated to right; V&A, London, S.142:159-2007.

Diplomacy (as ‘Lady Henry Fairfax’)
Revived at Garrick Theatre 1893.

1893
Ink drawing by unidentified artist, whole-length, to front with cheval-glass behind, holding closed fan; untraced. Repr. Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, facing p.306, captioned ‘Reappearance / From a drawing made in the dressing-room’.

Ink sketch by Aubrey Beardsley, inscr. ‘Mrs Bancroft (Lady Fairfax)’, whole-length, from rear, in costume with closed parasol, in group with Arthur Cecil, with sketch of Squire Bancroft on same sheet; untraced. Exh. Artists of the Yellow Book, Parkin G., London, 1983 (37 (ill.)); repr. Pall Mall Gazette, Mar. 1893, p.281; Beardsley 1912, pl.53; and Zatlin 2016, no.297, vol.1, p.188.

Ink design by Reginald Cleaver, ‘The Revival of “Diplomacy” at the Garrick Theatre’, inscr. ‘The Woes of Lady Henry Fairfax (Mrs Bancroft)’, whole-length seated, to front, in costume, in composite with other actors; untraced. Repr. Graphic, 25 Feb. 1893, p.180.

See also S. Bancroft, Forbes-Robertson, Hare.

Design by unidentified artist, full-page image of eight cast members, Marie whole-length seated, front row, looking to left; untraced. Repr. Graphic, 4 Mar. 1893, p.213, captioned ‘The revival of “Diplomacy” at the Garrick Theatre: a group of the principal actors and actresses’. The portraits are taken from photographic originals, listed on p.211.

See also S. Bancroft, Forbes-Robertson, Hare.

Photographs

1893
Photograph by Window & Grove, depicting cast at Garrick Theatre, Feb. 1893, nearly whole-length, seated at table, third from right with eight others; print, 220 x 280mm, reg. for copyright with actors’ names by William Grove 1893 June 6: National Archives (COPY 1/412/518); another print, 143 x 106mm, V&A, Lonodn, S.142:215-2007; another print on printed card giving title of play, theatre, date and photographer, David J. Holmes Autographs, 2012; another print with actors’ signatures, Hare family material. Repr. Bancroft 1939, facing p.88; and Blomfield 2013, p.298.

See also S. Bancroft, Forbes-Robertson, Hare.

Good for Nothing (as ‘Nan’)

Photographs

1879 or 1881
Photographs by Window & Grove, against scenic backdrop of domestic interior with open door and washstand, ten known poses:
(a)–(d) whole-length wearing full-length pinafore and striking attitudes of perplexity; V&A, London, S.142:163-2007, S.142:164-2007, S.142:165-2007 and S.142:166-2007, the last inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as Nan / in Good for Nothing / 1881 / Haymarket / Window & Grove)’.
(e) seated on table. Repr. Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, facing p.180, captioned ‘Nan / “I wish I had tuppence, I’d run right away!”’; and Blomfield 2013, p.193.
(f) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as Nan / in Good for Nothing / Window & Grove’, whole-length wearing dark-patterned dress, pinafore on chair; V&A, London, S.142:167-2007.
(g) similar to (f), with same inscr., but dipping hands in washbowl; V&A, London, S.142:161-2007.
(h) & (j) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as Nan / in Good for Nothing / 1881 / Haymarket / Window & Grove’, whole-length wearing shorter pinafore, shoulder-cape and cap, holding parasol; V&A, London, S.142:168-2007 and S.142:170-2007.
(k) similar to (h) & (j), with same inscr., but without parasol; V&A, London, S.142:169-2007.

The servant-girl part of Nan was one of Marie Bancroft’s best-known roles. Good for Nothing was revived to acclaim at the Prince of Wales’s Theatre in 1879, which is the date ascribed to these images. However, the inscriptions on several indicate that they may have been produced in 1881, when the play was staged at the Haymarket Theatre.

The Lesson (as ‘Kate Reeve’)

publ. 1881
Design by Horace Morehen, whole-length wearing walking-dress and small top hat, arms outstretched towards left; untraced. Engr. by John Swain repr. Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, 3 Dec. 1881, p.265.

Design by Hal Ludlow, variant pose to above, whole-length, similar attire; untraced. Repr. Pictorial World 10 Dec. 1881, p.232, captioned ‘Mrs Bancroft in “A Lesson”’.

Photographs

1881
Photographs by Window & Grove, three known poses:
(a) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / Lady Bancroft / in “A Lesson” / Window & Grove’, ‘with kind love / from yours ever / Marie Bancroft’, and ‘Autograph taken from / back of photograph / given to Ellen Terry’, whole-length standing, to front, feet apart, wearing riding habit with petticoat and holding crop behind shoulders; V&A, London, S.142:147-2007.
(b) inscr. as (a), whole-length standing, to right, feet apart, holding crop under left arm; V&A, London, S.142:146-2007.
(c) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / Lady Bancroft / 1881 / in “The Lesson” / Window & Grove’, head and shoulders vignette, smiling, wearing same riding habit as (a) and (b); V&A, London, S.142:151-2007.

London Assurance (as ‘Lady Gay Spanker’)

Photographs

1877
Cartes-de-visite by Adolphe Beau, wearing riding habit and top hat, three known poses:
(a) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as Lady Gay Spanker / 3 / “London Assurance” / Adolphe Beau’, whole-length standing, resting right elbow on low parapet, left hand holding whip; V&A, London, S.142:36-2007.
(b) whole-length kneeling behind low parapet; V&A, London, S.142:34-2007.
(c) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as Lady Gay Spanker / 4 / “London Assurance” / Adolphe Beau’, half-length, to front, smiling, hands clasped holding whip; V&A, London, S.142:35-2007. Repr. Whyte 1898, between pp.158–9; and Blomfield 2013, p.177.

Head-and-shoulders vignette; Blomfield Coll.

Lucia di Lammermoor (as ‘Edgar Ravenswood’)

Photographs

1865
Cartes de-visite by Samuel Alexander Walker, dated 25 Sept. 1865, four known poses:
(a) 89 x 58mm, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / as Edgar Ravenswood / Lucia di Lammermoor / (burlesque) / Prince of Wales’s Theatre / 25th September 1865 / Walker’, whole-length standing, to front, right knee bent, wearing swashbuckling costume with boots, sword, feathered hat; V&A, London, S.142:47-2007.
(b) 91 x 58mm, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as Edgar Ravenswood / in the burlesque / of “Lucia di Lammermoor” / Prince of Wales’s Theatre / 186 / Walker’, similar pose to (a) but with both legs straight, V&A, London, S.142:53-2007.
(c) 89 x 59mm, inscr. ‘Fred Dewar as [sic] / Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as Edgar Ravenswood / and W H Montgomery / as / “Lucia di Lammermoor” / prince of Wales’s Theatre / 25 September 1865 / Walker’, whole-length, to front, holding hat, standing between two male actors; V&A, London, S.142:49-2007.
(d) 90 x 58mm, inscr. ‘F Dewar / Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / and W H Montgomery / in Lucia di Lammermoor / (burlesque) / Prince of Wales’s Theatre / 25th September 1865 / Walker’, similar to (c) but head turned to left; V&A, London, S.142:51-2007.

The Maid and the Magpie (as ‘Pippo’)

Photographs

1858
Carte-de-visite, 82 x 53mm, by Gabriel de Rumine, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as Pippo / in ? / G de Rumine’, whole-length standing; V&A, London, S.142:19-2007. Repr. Blomfield 2013, p.44.

Masks and Faces (as ‘Peg Woffington’)
Opened 6 Nov. 1875 and revived 5 Feb. 1881.

1875
?Painting by H[arry] Allen, whole-length to front wearing large 18th-century-style hat, right hand in large muff; untraced. Repr. Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, facing p.146. Companion to portrait of Squire Bancroft by same artist.

Photographs

1875
Woodburytypes by Lock & Whitfield, two known poses:
(a) three-quarter-length standing, looking to right, wearing tall-crowned hat trimmed with large daisies and long beaded shawl; prints colls NPG x207 (loose) and NPG Ax7686 (in album); and V&A, London, S.142:142-2007, attributed to Window & Grove. Repr. Saturday Programme and Sketch-Book, 16 July 1875, cover; copy NPG x132951.

See NPG Portrait Set ‘Terence Pepper gift: photographs, prints and drawings, 1808–2008’.

(b) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / Lock & Whitfield’, half-length to left, head turned to camera, right hand to collar-bone, wearing dark day-dress with pale linked belt; V&A, London, S.142:152-2007. Repr. in composite ‘Ladies of the London Stage’, Saturday Programme, 1875 (no further details); copy NPG x135885.

See NPG Portrait Set ‘Patrick O’Connor Collection: Music Hall, Theatre and Film Stars 1890s–1940s’.

See also Farren, Terry.

1881
Photographs by Henry van der Weyde, three known poses:
(a) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) /as Peg Woffington / in Masks and Faces / Haymarket / 5th February 1881’, whole-length seated, facing camera, holding book on small table to left, feet on footstool; V&A, London, S.142:193-2007.
(b) head and shoulders vignette, gaze to left, wearing large flowered hat; V&A, London, S.142:195-2007.
(c) carte-de-visite, head-and-shoulders vignette, to front, wearing large jabot and lace cap; Blomfield Coll.

Photograph by Elliott & Fry, half-length standing, wearing large flowered hat, lace jabot, holding long-stemmed flowers; MEPL, London, 10085944.

1885
Photographs by Window & Grove, two known poses:
(a) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / as Peg Woffington / in “Masks and Faces” / Haymarket / 28th February 1885 / Window & Grove’, three-quarter-length standing, to right, holding silver-topped cane; V&A, London, S.142:196-2007.
(b) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / as Peg Woffington / “Masks and Faces” / Haymarket 1885 / Window & Grove’, half-length seated, to right, hands on lap; V&A, London, S.142:197-2007.

The Milkmaid’s Tale (as ‘Perdita’)

Photographs

1856
Albumen carte-de-visite by Herbert Watkins; see NPG P301(70).

Miss Eily O’Connor (as ‘Miles na Coppaleen’)
This burlesque version of Dion Boucicault’s Colleen Bawn opened at Drury Lane Theatre in 1862; the production in which Marie Wilton played Miles opened at the Strand Theatre the following year. [1]

Photographs

1863
Cartes-de-visite by Adolphe Beau / Heath & Beau, four known poses:
(a) 84 x 56mm, by Adolphe Beau, signed by sitter on card and inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / in “Miss Ely [sic] O’Connor” / Strand Theatre / Miss Barthalemain [?] / Adolphe Beau’, whole length, near-profile to left, seated on stool or barrel, wearing male costume with large hat on floor; V&A, London, S.142:33-2007, where dated 25 Nov. 1861. Repr. Whyte 1898, between pp.158–9.
(b) 89 x 51mm, stamped Heath & Beau, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / Lady Bancroft / as Miles Na Gopaleen [sic] / in “Miss Ely [sic] O’Connor” / Dury [sic] Lane / 25th Nov 1861 / Heath & Beau’, whole-length standing, to front, wearing male costume, holding hat and stick in right hand, right foot resting on barrel; V&A, London, S.142:37-2007.
(c) 81 x 54mm, by Adolphe Beau, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / in Miss Ely [sic] O’Connor / Adolphe Beau’, half-length vignette, to front, wearing hat and holding stick; V&A, London, S.142:38-2007.
(d) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / Myles NaGoppaleen [sic]’, whole-length standing, holding barrel on right shoulder, shillelagh in left hand; Blomfield Coll. Repr. Whyte 1898, between pp.158–9, credited to Beau.

Money (as ‘Lady Franklin’)

Photographs

1894
Photographs, 140 x 100mm, by Window & Grove, reg. for copyright by William Grove 1894 July 6, nine known poses:
(a) whole-length standing, with Arthur Cecil; National Archives (COPY 1/417/24).
(b) whole-length seated, with Cecil; National Archives (COPY 1/417/28).
(c) whole-length, right arm raised, dancing with Cecil; National Archives (COPY 1/417/23).
(d) whole-length, left arm raised, dancing with Cecil; National Archives (COPY 1/417/31).
(e) whole-length standing, with Cecil, pointing to his foot; National Archives (COPY 1/417/26); another print V&A, London, S.142:213-2007, inscr. ‘Arthur Cecil and Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / in Money / Window & Grove’.
(f) whole-length, seated, holding closed fan to face, Cecil on left, about to kiss her hand; National Archives (COPY 1/417/29). Engr. by Lemercier repr. Whyte 1898, between pp.60–61.
(g) whole-length, dancing, with Cecil seated to left looking up adoringly; National Archives (COPY 1/417/25); another print V&A, London, S.142:214-2007, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / as Lady Franklin / with Arthur Cecil as Graves / in “Money” / Garrick Theatre Revival / 189?’, where dated 1875. Repr. Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, facing p.316; and Blomfield 2013, p.212.
(h) whole-length seated, hands on lap, with Cecil; National Archives (COPY 1/417/27).
(j) whole-length standing, shaking hands with Cecil; National Archives (COPY 1/417/30).

First staged by the Bancrofts at the Prince of Wales’s Theatre in 1872, Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s drama Money was one of their most popular productions.

Ours (as ‘Mary Netley’)
Opened at Prince of Wales’s Theatre 15 Sept. 1866.

1866
Design by unidentified artist, whole-length standing with other cast members; untraced. Repr. as engr. ILN, 20 Oct. 1866, p.385.

publ. 1882
Designs by H.A. (‘Hal’) Ludlow, showing scenes and images from drama, head as vignette; untraced. Engr. by Dalziel repr. ILN, 4 Feb. 1882, p.105.

See also S. Bancroft, Langtry.

Photographs

1866
Cartes-de-visite by Window & Grove, five known poses:
(a) whole-length standing, in centre of group of three, with hands on shoulders of seated female companion on left; V&A, London, S.142:63-2007, where dated 15 Sept. 1866 and other sitters identified as Sophie Larkin and Frederick Young.
(b) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / in “Ours”? / Window & Grove’, whole-length standing, to right, wearing striped full-skirted dress and lace cap against elegant room backcloth, holding dark shawl over right arm and parasol to ground in left hand; V&A, London, S.142:98-2007. Half-length vignette, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as Mary Netley / in “Ours” / 15th September 1866 / Window + Bridge [sic]’; V&A, London, S.142:66-2007.
(c) whole-length standing, no cap, pale shawl round skirt; V&A, London, S.142:99-2007.
(d) whole-length standing behind table against wooden cabin backcloth, straw and saucepan on floor, John Clarke to right bending over table; V&A, London, S.142:68-2007.
(e) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as “Mary Netley” with Johnny Clarke / as Hugh Chalcott / in “Ours” Prince of Wales’s / Theatre/ 15 September 1866 / Window + Bridge [sic]’, variant pose of (d) with Clarke to left; V&A, London, S.142:70-2007. Repr. Whyte 1898, between pp.160–61, credited to Window & Grove; and Blomfield 2013, p.106.

The School for Scandal (as ‘Lady Teazle’)
Opened at Prince of Wales’s Theatre 4 Apr. 1874.

1874–5
Oil sketch by Valentine Cameron Prinsep for The Minuet, whole-length in minuet scene, with Squire Bancroft; presented to the sitters by the artist. Ref. Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, pp.135, 431, 432; repr. Bancroft 1939, facing p.38, where described as sketch for act-drop at Haymarket Theatre c.1880; [2] and Blomfield 2013, pp.154, 332.

Oil by Valentine Prinsep, The Minuet, whole-length in group dancing with Squire Bancroft, depicting stage performance at Prince of Wales’s Theatre; untraced. Exh. RA 1875 (125); ref. Bancroft & Bancroft 1888, vol.1, p.400.

c.1880
Act-drop by Valentine Prinsep; untraced. Ref. Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, p.135: ‘The general effect of this interpolated dance was reproduced on the curtain painted for us when we moved to the Haymarket’. The act-drop was related, but not necessarily closely, to The Minuet; see above.

For a replica of the act-drop, extant in 1909 and now also untraced, see Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, p.135.

Photographs

1874
Carte-de-visite by Window & Grove, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / Lady Bancroft / as Lady Teazle / with Squire Bancroft / as Joseph Surface’, whole-length, seated to left, wearing black, with Squire Bancroft standing to right as Joseph Surface; V&A, London, S.142:122-2007. Repr. Whyte 1898, between pp.6–7; and Blomfield 2013, p.151.

Cartes-de-visite by Window & Grove, all inscr. with details of sitters, characters, date and photographer, whole-length standing, with Lyn Rayne as Sir Benjamin Backbite, three known poses:
(a) to right of Rayne; V&A, London, S.142:116-2007.
(b) to right of Rayne, right arm outstretched to his as if dancing quadrille; V&A, London, S.142:125-2007.
(c) to left of Rayne, left arm outstretched as if to start dancing; V&A, London, S.142:124-2007.

Cartes-de-visite by Window & Grove, all inscr. with details of character, date and photographer, four known poses:
(a) head and shoulders vignette, profile to left, wearing high lace cap; V&A, London, S.142:114-2007.
(b) three-quarter-length standing, to front, wearing high lace cap and pale-coloured costume; V&A, London, S.142:103-2007.
(c) whole length, to left, right hand holding closed fan to lips; V&A, London, S.142:111-2007.
(d) half-length, to front, wearing lace cap, dark fringed shawl over shoulders, hands in fur muff; prints colls NPG x76631, captioned ‘School for Scandal / Prince of Wales Theatre’; and V&A, London, S.142:109-2007, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as Lady Teazle 1874 / Window & Grove’.

Cartes-de-visite by Window & Grove, with unidentified boy of African origin as page, four known poses:
(a) 89 x 60mm, whole-length, to left, seated with feet on footstool, holding teacup, page-boy standing to left behind tea-table, touching plate; prints colls NPG x131009; and V&A, London, S.142:117-2007, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as “Lady Teazle” / old / Prince of Wales’ Theatre / 1874 / Windows [sic] & Grove’. Repr. Blomfield 2013, p.151 (cropped).
(b) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft ) / as Lady Teazle / (Windows [sic] & Grove)’, as (a) but lifting cup from saucer and page-boy turned towards her; V&A, London, S.142:123-2007. Repr. Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, facing p.126.
(c) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as Lady Teazle / 1874’, seated, to left, without table, right foot on footstool, page-boy to left, kneeling to put her shoe on; V&A, London, S.142:115-2007.
(d) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / as Lady Teazle / Window & Grove’, whole-length standing, near-profile to left, holding gloves and fan, wearing long train held by page-boy standing to right in profile to left; V&A, London, S.142:112-2007.

The boy who played the page was ‘lent’ to the Bancrofts for this production ‘by an owner of sugar plantations. He was called “Biafra” after the ship he came over in, and looked a picture in his laced scarlet coat, his white turban and gilt dog-collar [sic]’ (Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, pp.135–6).

Cartes-de-visite by Window & Grove, all inscr. with details of sitters, characters, date and photographer, whole-length standing or seated, with minor variations, with John Hare as Sir Peter Teazle, 11 known poses:
(a) standing to right of Hare; V&A, London, S.142:118-2007.
(b) standing to left of Hare, holding out handkerchief; V&A, London, S.142:102-2007.
(c) standing to right of Hare, holding folded fan; V&A, London, S.142:110-2007.
(d) standing to right of Hare, hands clasped; V&A, London, S.142:104-2007.
(e) standing to right of Hare, wagging finger; V&A, London, S.142:120-2007.
(f) seated on stool to right of Hare; V&A, London, S.142:105-2007.
(g) similar to (f); V&A, London, S.142:121-2007.
(h) seated on stool to right of Hare, his hand on her chin; V&A, London, S.142:107-2007. Repr. Bancroft & Bancroft 1909, facing p.126.
(j) standing to right of Hare, hands by side; prints colls V&A, London, S.142:108-2007; and Garrick Club, London, Mrs John Laurie’s Album, p.5.
(k) inscr. ‘John Hare and / Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / as Sir Peter & Lady Teazle / in “The School for Scandal” / Window & Grove’, standing to right of Hare, profile to left; V&A, London, S.142:119-2007.
(l) standing to left of Hare, left arm extended to meet Hare’s, right hand holding own train. Repr. Blomfield 2013, p.152, as ‘Sir Peter and Lady Teazle … dance the minuet’.

A miscellaneous group of small images of Marie Bancroft and other actors in this production, Garrick Club, London, Mrs John Laurie’s Album, p.5.

Society (as ‘Maud’)
Opened at Prince of Wales’s Theatre 11 Nov. 1865.

Photographs

1865
Cartes-de-visite by Southwell Brothers, on opening night, three known poses:
(a) inscr. ‘Squire Bancroft and / Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / in “Society” / Southwall [sic]’, whole-length, to left, seated to the right of Squire Bancroft, hair in net on nape, wearing crinoline, mantle and small hat; V&A, London, S.142:59-2007.
(b) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / Arthur Williams collection’, three-quarter-length standing, to right, hair in loose chignon, hands resting on chairback, wearing dark jacket over crinoline, holding hat and closed parasol; V&A, London, S.142:55-2007.
(c) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / in “Society” / Prince of Wales Theatre / 11 November 1865 / Southwall [sic]’, whole-length, to right, head turned to left, leaning on chairback to right, wearing hat but no jacket; V&A, London, S.142:58-2007.

Carte-de-visite by unidentified photographer, oval format, three-quarter-length standing, profile to left, arms folded at waist, with John Hare and Sophie Larkin; Garrick Club, Willoughby Album 2, no.305.

Sweethearts (as ‘Jenny Northcott’)

Photographs

1885
Photograph by unidentified photographer, whole-length standing, looking down, right hand held by Squire Bancroft standing left. Repr. Gilbert and Sullivan Archive, captioned ‘Squire Bancroft and Marie Wilton (Mrs Bancroft) in the revival at Haymarket Theatre, 1885.

The Vicarage (as ‘Mrs Haygarth’)
Opened at Prince of Wales’s Theatre 31 Mar. 1877.

Photographs

1877
Photographs by Window & Grove, 14 known poses:
(a) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / in “The Vicarage” / Window & Grove’ and ‘With kind love / from yours ever / Marie Bancroft’, with label ‘Autograph taken from / back of photograph / given to Ellen Terry’, whole-length standing, hands clasped below chin, ornate chair to right, small chess table to left; V&A, London, S.142:134-2007.
(b) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / in “The Vicarage” / Window & Grove’, three-quarter-length standing, hands holding watch-chain at waist; V&A, London, S.142:136-2007.
(c) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / in “The Vicarage” / Window & Grove’, head and shoulders vignette; V&A, London, S.142:139-2007.
(d) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / in The Vicarage / Window & Grove’ and ‘With kind love / from yours ever / Marie Bancroft’, with label ‘Autograph taken from / back of photograph / given to Ellen Terry’, whole-length, to front, seated in high-backed chair; V&A, London, S.142:145-2007.
(e) inscr. ‘WH Kendal / and Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / in “The Vicarage”’, whole-length seated, to front, with William Hunter Kendal standing to left holding her right hand; V&A, London, S.142:131 2007.
(f) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / Lady Bancroft / with WH Kendal / in the Vicarage / Window & Grove’, slight variant on (e); V&A, London, S.142:137-2007.
(g) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / with WH Kendal / in “The Vicarage” / Window & Grove’, whole-length seated, to front, left elbow on table, left hand to chin, with Kendal standing to left; V&A, London, S.142:135-2007.
(h) inscr. ‘Arthur Cecil and Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / in The Vicarage / Window & Grove’, whole-length, profile to left, seated at chess table, with Arthur Cecil to left; V&A, London, S.142:133-2007. Repr. Whyte 1898, between pp.160–61; and Blomfield 2013, p.179.
(j) inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / and Arthur Cecil / in The Vicarage / Window & Grove’, whole-length, profile to left, seated at chess table, right hand on chess-piece, with Cecil to left; V&A, London, S.142:141-2007.
(k)–(m) half-length, to front, behind tea-table, three variant poses with Kendal to left and Cecil to right; V&A, London, S.142:126-2007 (inscr. ‘Left to right / WH Kendal, Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / and Arthur Cecil / in The Vicarage / Window Grove [sic]’), V&A, London, S.142:129-2007 (inscr. ‘Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / with W H Kendal / and Arthur Cecil / in “The Vicarage” / Prince of Wales’s 1877 / Window & Grove’) and V&A, London, S.142:130-2007 (inscr. ‘Left to right / WH Kendal Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / and Arthur Cecil / in The Vicarage’). Repr. Whyte 1898, between pp.160–61.
(n) & (o) both inscr. ‘WH Kendal / Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / and Arthur Cecil / in “The Vicarage” / Window & Grove’, whole-length, half-profile to right, standing between Kendal on left and Cecil on right, two marginally variant poses; V&A, London, S.142:132-2007 and S.142:143-2007.

War to the Knife (as ‘Lady Delacour’)

Photographs

1865
Cartes de-visite by Samuel Alexander Walker, Prince of Wales’s Theatre, 10 June 1865, seven known poses:
(a) composite photograph, 89 x 58mm, inscr. ‘Fanny Josephs / and Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / in “War to the Knife” / Walker’, whole-length, near-profile to right, wearing striped cotton dress with full skirt and sleeves, standing between two images of Fanny Josephs; V&A, London, S.142:39-2007, annotated by V&A ‘Fanny Josephs appears twice in the image, on either side of Marie Wilton’.
(b) composite photograph, 90 x 59mm, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (lady Bancroft) / Fannie [sic] Josephs / in “War to the Knife / Walker’, showing Marie Bancroft twice, either side of Josephs: (i) whole-length standing, profile to right, wearing striped dress, on left of group of three figures, (ii) whole-length seated, profile to left, wearing same dress, on right of group; V&A, London, S.142:39-2007, annotated by V&A ‘Marie Wilton appears twice in the image, on either side of Fanny Josephs’.
(c) composite photograph, 90 x 58mm, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) in War to the Knife / Prince of Wales’s / Walker’, showing Marie Bancroft twice: (i) whole-length seated, to front, on left, holding embroidered ?bag, (ii) whole-length standing, to left, turning to camera, on right; V&A, London, S.142:41-2007.
(d) 90 x 59mm, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / in “War to the Knife” / (Prince of Wales’s) / Walker’, variant on (c), showing Marie Bancroft twice: (i) whole-length standing, on left, wearing striped dress, holding letter in both hands, (ii) whole-length standing, near-profile to left, on right, wearing pale dress with corsage, right hand extended; V&A, London, S.142:43-2007.
(e) 90 x 58mm, inscr. ‘Marie Wilton / (Lady Bancroft) / in “War to the Knife” / Walker’, three-quarter-length standing, profile to left, head half-turned to camera; V&A, London, S.142:42-2007.
(f) 89 x 58mm, inscr. ‘Fanny Josephs / Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / F Dewar / Squire Bancroft / in “War to the Knife” / Prince of Wales’s Theatre / 10th June 1865 / Walker’, whole-length standing, second from left in group of four actors including Squire Bancroft and Josephs; V&A, London, S.142:44-2007. Repr. Blomfield 2013, p.92, where sitters captioned as Fanny Josephs, Marie Wilton, Frederick Dewar and ‘Sydney’ Bancroft.
(g) 67 x 66mm, inscr. ‘Left to right / Fanny Josephs / Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft) / Frederick Dewar / + Squire Bancroft / in “War to the Knife / Walker’, similar to (f); V&A, London, S.142:45-2007.

Unidentified part or play

Photographs

1856
Albumen carte-de-visite by Herbert Watkins; see NPG P301(68).

c.1860
Photograph by Clarkington & Co., whole-length standing, slightly to right, wearing theatrical costume.

Engr. after this image by Straker & Son, drawn by S. Rosenthal, captioned ‘Miss Marie Wilton, as Minka / (from a photograph by Clarkington)’, NPG SB (Bancroft).

Carte-de-visite by unidentified photographer, whole-length standing, to right, holding Squire Bancroft’s hand; Garrick Club, London, Willoughby Album 2, no.318.

Footnotesback to top

1) See Schoch 2003, pp.3–4.
2) For references to Prinsep painting an act-drop for Hare’s Court Theatre in 1875 see Pemberton 1895, p.52.


Dr Jan Marsh