Broadside: Struck Oil! Or, the Pennsylvania Dutchman. Lewis's Theatre Royal, Chowringhee. Open Every Evening ... Vice-Regal Command Night. Three Nights Only! Farewell Performances in India of Miss Maggie Moore and Mr. J. C. Williamson

Broadside. Golden yellow silk broadside printed in Calcutta, Erasmus Jones, printer, [1875? ]. Approx. 14½" x 8½"; immaculate condition, in a custom blue cloth portfolio. We find records of this play, written by Edgar Ray, playing in Australia, New York and Philadelphia in addition to this run in Chowringhee, central Calcutta. Mrs. G. B. W. Lewis credited as director. Lewis, an English-born actress known as Rose Edouin toured with her husband George Benjamin William Lewis (1818-1906) , circus owner and theatrical entrepreneur. From 1867 the Lewises opened seasonal dismountable theatres in Calcutta, India. Until early 1876 the couple and their company commuted from Australia to China and India, playing Shakespeare and melodramas such as East Lynne. Just how and why an American play on the Pennsylvania oil fields makes it to several continents seems curious to us. Nonetheless, this stunning golden broadside on silk is a wonderful souvenir. We're confident few if any copies exist. Not found in OCLC. .