3-070-880 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Ye Old English Fayre" at the Royal Albert Hall, 1881. 'Ye Booke of Ye Old English Fayre; Ye Showman; Ye Wheel of Fortune; Division of Labour; Ye Centre of Attraction; True Old Englyshe Fayre; Ye Horse Dealer; Ye Refreshment Bar; Behind Old Englyshe Fayre Markette Place...This picturesque and quaint exhibition of antiquarian curiosities, held in the Royal Albert Hall, produced not less than £7540, of which £4300 was from the charges for admission, while £3240 was the proceeds of the sale of fancy articles, to the profit of the Chelsea Hospital for Women. The "Olde English Fayre"...thus proved a great success at Kensington...A page of incidental Sketches sets before the reader such figures as that of the showman, loudly inviting spectators to see "the fun of the fair;" the two ministering priestesses of Fortune at her oracular wheel; the dames du comptoir dealing in tea and cakes and other light refreshments; the purchasers of toys, floral bouquets, and other trifles, which some of them are hardly able to carry away; and the scene at the back of the mimic market-place houses, where many people were fain to stay a long time for want of room. It was, on the whole, an entertainment cleverly arranged, and managed with entire success'. From "Illustrated London News", 1881.