{"product_id":"the-edinburgh-theatrical-fund-seal-circa-1819","title":"THE EDINBURGH THEATRICAL FUND SEAL CIRCA 1819","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeal Detail    \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAS FEATURED ON PAGE 75 IN OUR BOOK, \"MATRIX\".\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fine early 19th century wood Scottish desk seal, \u003cspan\u003ethe turned box-wood baluster handle with an inlaid gold circular plaque engraved 'Presented by W. H. Murray Esquire to the Edinburgh Theatrical Fund', the gold stem with chased floral garland on a domed oval reeded mount, enclosing a mottled red and white agate matrix, engraved with motto INSTITUTED APRIL 2, 1819 THE EDINBURGH THEATRICAL FUND within garter surrounding the crest of lyre and thistles.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Edinburgh Theatrical Fund for the support of indigent and retired actors was founded in 1819 by Harriet Murray Siddon (Mrs Henry Siddons, daughter-in-law of Sarah Siddons) and her brother William Henry Wood Murray, managers of the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh. The English Theatrical Fund had been established in the previous century by David Garrick, but this was to be the first in Scotland.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnfortunately, although the actors and management performed many benefits, it was not possible to raise enough money to make the fund viable. It was therefore relaunched on 1 January 1827 with a number of distinguished patrons. A dinner was held on 23 February 1827 at the Assembly Rooms, chaired by Sir Walter Scott, to celebrate the reformed organisation. The previous night Sir Walter had noted in his diary, \"Was at court til two - then lounged till Will. Murray came to speak about a dinner for the theatrical fund in order to make some arrangements. There are 300 tickets given out. I fear it will be uncomfortable and whatever the stoics may say a bad dinner throws cold water on the charity.\" The distinguished author had evidently decided to enliven the occasion, since it was at this dinner that he 'directly and finally divulged' that he was the 'entire and sole author of the Waverly [sic] Novels', the authorship of which had hitherto been a subject of much animated speculation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSeal Specification\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight:  92mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiameter of matrix:  30mm x 20mm \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight:  62g\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sigillum Seals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57155279880570,"sku":null,"price":1930.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0755\/3626\/9597\/files\/20260810_122545.jpg?v=1786361378","url":"https:\/\/sigillumseals.co.uk\/products\/the-edinburgh-theatrical-fund-seal-circa-1819","provider":"Sigillum Seals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}