6 OF 12 
Fred Coyne
6 of 12 portraits by Thomas Packer
© National Portrait Gallery, London
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Fred Coyne
by William Spalding, printed by Thomas Packer, published by Howard & Co
chromolithograph, circa 1879-1886
14 in. x 9 5/8 in. (357 mm x 246 mm) paper size
Given by John Hall, 1972
Reference Collection
NPG D42780
Artistsback to top
- Howard & Co, Publishers. Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait.
- Thomas Packer (active 1855-1880s), Lithographic printer. Artist or producer associated with 12 portraits.
- William Spalding (active 1870s-1880s), Proprietor of design studio. Artist or producer associated with 7 portraits.
Events of 1879back to top
Current affairs
Women's education continues to grow, with the founding of women's colleges in Oxford. Somerville College took its name from the late Scottish scientific writer Mary Somerville. Lady Margaret Hall was founded by Elizabeth Wordsworth, great niece of the poet, and named after Margaret Beaufort, a medieval noblewoman and mother of Henry VII.Art and science
Edison invents the first practical electric light bulb.The first prehistoric paintings, dating back 14,000 years, are discovered in the Altamira caves in Northern Spain when a young girl notices paintings of bison on the ceilings.
The French actress Sarah Bernhardt, already acclaimed for roles in plays such as Racine's Phèdre and Victor Hugo's Hernani, celebrates a successful season at London's Gaiety Theatre.
International
Anglo-Zulu war fought between British forces and the Zulus, after disputes between the Boers and Zulu leader Cetshywayo over the Utrecht border attracted British intervention. The British victory marked the end of the independent Zulu nation, although the Zulu's initial victory at Isandhlwana was a major surprise. The Battle of Rorke's Drift was dramatised in the film Zulu, starring Michael Caine, in 1964.Comments back to top
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John Culme
06 February 2020, 13:37
According to contemporary advertisements, this song sheet was published in November 1878: 'THE GREATEST SUCCESS in COMIC SONGS is Mr. FRED COYNE'S ELECTRIC LIGHT. Sung by him nightly with electric effect. Written by J.B. LAWREEN. Composed by WM. Sim. Post free 13 stamps. - Howard and Co., 28, Great Marlborough-street, W.' (Evening Standard, London, Friday, 22 November 1878, p. 8d)