Harry Nicholls (1852-1926), English actor, dramatist, song writer and theatrical manager, as Private Jupp in One of the Best, Adelphi Theatre, London, 21 December 1895

Harry Nicholls (1852-1926), English actor, dramatist, song writer and theatrical manager, as Private Jupp in One of the Best, a drama by George Edwardes and Seymour Hicks, first produced at the Adelphi Theatre, London, 21 December 1895 (photo:Foulsham & Banfield, London, 1909)

This real photograph postcard was published in London in 1909 by the Rotary Photographic Co Ltd, no. 7473B in the Rotary Photographic Series. It shows Harry Nicholls as Private Jupp in One of the Best, a drama by George Edwardes and Seymour Hicks which was revived at the Aldwych Theatre, London, on 1 May 1909. Nicholls had created the part of Jupp when the play was first produced at the Adelphi Theatre, London, on 21 December 1895.

‘Speaking of authors, I don’t suppose there are many people who know that the famous play One of the Best, which was one of William Terriss’ great successes, was written by George Edwardes and Seymour Hicks. I remember them discussing it in the office, and my being there gave them the name of the humorous character “Private Jupp,” played by Harry Nicholls. My name brought me a nice present in the shape of a heavy gold ring. Mr. Hicks said : “We’re going to christen one of our characters after you, Jupp – hope you won’t mind – and I want to make you a present. What about a gold ring as a memento?” Of course I accepted and went to Lewis and Salome in Cranbourne Street and got a beauty, which I wear to the present day.’ (James Jupp [who for many years was stage door keeper at the Gaiety Theatre, London], The Gaiety Stage Door. Thirty Years’ Reminiscences of the Theatre, Jonathan Cape, London, 1923,p. 299)

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