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Description: | A complete post-Medieval copper-alloy double sided medal struck c. 1809 in response to increased prices at the Second Theatre Royal, Covent Garden.Obverse: OH MY HEAD AITCHES[·OBSTINACY]; Satirical bust of Charles Kemble wearing a long wig with pins sticking in it, trumpet and rattle belowReverse: O P (old price); ·JOHN BULL'S JUBILEE·CLIFFORD FOR EVER·Diameter: 24.6mm. Weight: 3.52g. DA=12:12.The word 'AITCHES' in the obverse legend refers to Kemble's affectation for pronouncing 'aches'. Clifford was a theatregoer who was assaulted by Brandon the box keeper for wearing an O.P. badge in his hat.There is an example in The British Museum Collections:http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=81019&partId=1 (accessed 24/10/2014).The so-called OPs at Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, protested against the rise in seat prices, the reduction of the gallery (where most poor people were admitted), and the increase in the size of private boxes taken by the rich.The audience divided themselves into the supporters of the cheaper 'old price' tickets, the 'OPs', and those who supported the management, the NPs. The campaign went on for 62 days and was completely successful in its aims.Accounts of the campaign can be found at:http://www.counterfire.org/articles/75-our-history/16136-the-old-price-riots-of-1809-theatre-class-and-popular-protest (accessed 24/10/2014).http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/the-old-price-riots-of-1809.html Accessed 24/10/2014).http://www.napoleonicmedals.org/coins/bhm-677.htm (Accessed 24/10/2014).
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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