Signed Ellen Terry Portrait – Rare 19th Century Lithograph
Offered here is an original 19th century lithographic portrait of the legendary English actress Dame Ellen Terry (1847–1928), produced by E. Matthews & Sons, Lithographers, London. The print is copyright-marked and bears Ellen Terry’s bold autograph in ink at the lower margin: “Faithfully yours, Ellen Terry.”
Measuring approx. 10.5 x 14 in., the portrait features a finely detailed oval bust of Terry, decorated below with cherubs in a classic Victorian style. The paper shows foxing and light toning consistent with age, but the image and signature remain strong and clear.
This piece represents not only an attractive period lithograph but also a genuine signed relic from one of the greatest theatrical stars of the Victorian and Edwardian stage.
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About Ellen Terry (1847–1928):
Ellen Terry was the most celebrated English stage actress of her generation, renowned for her Shakespearean performances and her long partnership with Sir Henry Irving at London’s Lyceum Theatre. Rising to fame in the 1870s and 1880s, she became a cultural icon of the Victorian era, embodying elegance, intelligence, and dramatic power.
Her roles as Portia, Ophelia, Lady Macbeth, and Beatrice were legendary, and she helped define Shakespearean acting for modern audiences. Terry also toured internationally, bringing Shakespeare to audiences in America and beyond.
Outside the stage, she moved in influential artistic circles, counted painters like John Singer Sargent and George Frederic Watts among her friends, and inspired writers and thinkers of her day. In recognition of her extraordinary contribution to the arts, she was appointed Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in 1925.
Today, Ellen Terry remains a towering figure in theatre history, with her legacy preserved in biographies, portraits, and her former home Smallhythe Place, now a museum dedicated to her life and career.
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Significance of This Item:
Autographed portrait lithograph from the peak of Ellen Terry’s career.
Published by E. Matthews & Sons, London – a recognized 19th-century lithographic house.
Copyright-marked, ensuring it was an official period issue, not a reproduction.
A genuine 19th-century artifact connecting directly to one of the greatest Shakespearean actresses of all time.
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Condition:
Original 19th-century lithograph on period wove paper.
Signed “Faithfully yours, Ellen Terry” in ink at lower right.
Some scattered foxing and age toning, mainly in margins, consistent with age.
Print and autograph remain strong and highly displayable.
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A rare opportunity to own a signed Victorian-era portrait of Dame Ellen Terry – a centerpiece for any theatre history, Shakespeare, or autograph collection.