Features of Albert Smith's performance 'Ascent of Mont Blanc' at the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly. Lithograph after J.O. Parry, 185-.

"On 12 August 1851 Smith climbed Mont Blanc with three Oxford students and sixteen guides. On 15 March 1852 'Mr. Albert Smith's Ascent of Mont Blanc' opened at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, on a stage resembling a Swiss chalet. He interspersed descriptions of his journey to Chamonix with patter songs lampooning British tourists in Europe, and St Bernard dogs roamed the hall during the intermission. The show culminated in his dramatic account of the ascent, again illustrated by [William] Beverley. 'Mont Blanc' was a sensational success and ran for six years. Smith gave several command performances—on 24 August 1854 he put on a performance before the queen and the prince consort at Osborne House—and even acted as guide for the prince of Wales at Chamonix. He earned a fortune from his show, much of it from Mont Blanc merchandise, including colouring-books, fans, games, and miniature replicas of the mountain. He also published The story of Mont Blanc (1853), describing his own and earlier ascents. The lecture programme was changed each year by adding new characters, varying the route to Chamonix, and inserting fresh references to contemporary events. 'Mont Blanc' closed after its 2000th performance on 6 July 1858."-- Oxford dictionary of national biography

A vignette shows William Roxby Beverley the scene painter seated on his scene-painting of Mont Blanc

1850-1859

1 print : transfer lithograph of a pen drawing

Continuation of the ascent. ... At mid-day and mid-night, ten minutes allowed for ices and other refreshments. NB. No full moon tonight! Lecture every hour! JP

Signed with monogram JP and a harp: Parry was also a harpist

Wellcome Collection 32511i