New York City (New York) 1817 Park Theatre 'Paid' Token - Rulau#NY-41A
Offered is a somewhat enigmatic 20mm token, issued for use in 1817 to counter employee theft during the theatre admission process, Rulau NY-41A (R4), Batty#202. What is known is that these tokens were issued in both ‘ADMIT’ and ‘PAID’ variants in which the ‘PAID’ token was swapped for an ‘ADMIT’ token, and seeing as how the ‘PAID’ token was retained by the theatre, we may sus why it is today the scarcer of the two.
American numismatist William Woodward first attributed this token in 1864, and it has since appeared in American literature as having been issued by the famed Park Theatre, which opened its doors in 1798 on Park Row, NYC. The theatre was acquired in 1805 by the famed John Jacob Astor - founder of the Astor dynasty who kick-started the family’s extensive wealth through ventures in everything from fur-trading, opium export, as well as New York City real estate. The theatre attained enormous success in the 1810-30 period, during which it burned down several times, but was re-erected on the same site. With business waning, the theatre once again burned in 1848, at which time the Astors opted to re-develop the now extremely desirable lot. This small reminder of the Park Theatre is now regarded as the earliest American admission ticket, and as such, is highly sought.
Now for the complication, as in the United Kingdom, these have long been associated with the Theatre Royal, in Liverpool, where there is indeed evidence that tokens of this type were in use. Documentary evidence tying these tickets to Liverpool are considerably later than those cited by Woodward though, perhaps indicating that the balance of tokens were sold off to the Theatre Royal following one of the many changes in operation at the Park Theatre, or that indeed these tickets were manufactured and used by both institutions.
Regardless of the attribution to which one might subscribe, the story is fascinating, and these are undeniably scarce pieces. What is also apparent is that this is a well above-average example for the type, which is usually found cleaned, environmentally damaged, battered, etc. In all a choice example of a wonderful little piece.
Offered is a somewhat enigmatic 20mm token, issued for use in 1817 to counter employee theft during the theatre admission process, Rulau NY-41A (R4), Batty#202. What is known is that these tokens were issued in both ‘ADMIT’ and ‘PAID’ variants in which the ‘PAID’ token was swapped for an ‘ADMIT’ token, and seeing as how the ‘PAID’ token was retained by the theatre, we may sus why it is today the scarcer of the two.
American numismatist William Woodward first attributed this token in 1864, and it has since appeared in American literature as having been issued by the famed Park Theatre, which opened its doors in 1798 on Park Row, NYC. The theatre was acquired in 1805 by the famed John Jacob Astor - founder of the Astor dynasty who kick-started the family’s extensive wealth through ventures in everything from fur-trading, opium export, as well as New York City real estate. The theatre attained enormous success in the 1810-30 period, during which it burned down several times, but was re-erected on the same site. With business waning, the theatre once again burned in 1848, at which time the Astors opted to re-develop the now extremely desirable lot. This small reminder of the Park Theatre is now regarded as the earliest American admission ticket, and as such, is highly sought.
Now for the complication, as in the United Kingdom, these have long been associated with the Theatre Royal, in Liverpool, where there is indeed evidence that tokens of this type were in use. Documentary evidence tying these tickets to Liverpool are considerably later than those cited by Woodward though, perhaps indicating that the balance of tokens were sold off to the Theatre Royal following one of the many changes in operation at the Park Theatre, or that indeed these tickets were manufactured and used by both institutions.
Regardless of the attribution to which one might subscribe, the story is fascinating, and these are undeniably scarce pieces. What is also apparent is that this is a well above-average example for the type, which is usually found cleaned, environmentally damaged, battered, etc. In all a choice example of a wonderful little piece.
Offered is a somewhat enigmatic 20mm token, issued for use in 1817 to counter employee theft during the theatre admission process, Rulau NY-41A (R4), Batty#202. What is known is that these tokens were issued in both ‘ADMIT’ and ‘PAID’ variants in which the ‘PAID’ token was swapped for an ‘ADMIT’ token, and seeing as how the ‘PAID’ token was retained by the theatre, we may sus why it is today the scarcer of the two.
American numismatist William Woodward first attributed this token in 1864, and it has since appeared in American literature as having been issued by the famed Park Theatre, which opened its doors in 1798 on Park Row, NYC. The theatre was acquired in 1805 by the famed John Jacob Astor - founder of the Astor dynasty who kick-started the family’s extensive wealth through ventures in everything from fur-trading, opium export, as well as New York City real estate. The theatre attained enormous success in the 1810-30 period, during which it burned down several times, but was re-erected on the same site. With business waning, the theatre once again burned in 1848, at which time the Astors opted to re-develop the now extremely desirable lot. This small reminder of the Park Theatre is now regarded as the earliest American admission ticket, and as such, is highly sought.
Now for the complication, as in the United Kingdom, these have long been associated with the Theatre Royal, in Liverpool, where there is indeed evidence that tokens of this type were in use. Documentary evidence tying these tickets to Liverpool are considerably later than those cited by Woodward though, perhaps indicating that the balance of tokens were sold off to the Theatre Royal following one of the many changes in operation at the Park Theatre, or that indeed these tickets were manufactured and used by both institutions.
Regardless of the attribution to which one might subscribe, the story is fascinating, and these are undeniably scarce pieces. What is also apparent is that this is a well above-average example for the type, which is usually found cleaned, environmentally damaged, battered, etc. In all a choice example of a wonderful little piece.