New York, New York. 1867 Pastors Combination Troupe. Bowers NY-7080. Silvered brass. 38 mm. About Un

New York, New York. 1867 Pastors Combination Troupe. Bowers NY-7080. Silvered brass. 38 mm. About Uncirculated.，Obverse: Liberty Seated silver dollar motif. Reverse: Light blue heavy card printed in black, PASTORS COMBINATION TROUPE. around, COMPLIMENTS / OF / TONY & BILLY / ADMIT ONE. at center. Generous original silvering remains with only minor loss on the highest points at the rims. The card retains good color and has no losses. Another Bowers reference plate piece.<p>Antonio "Tony" Pastor (May 20, 1837-August 26, 1908) was one of Americas best known vaudeville and variety actors at the time this shell card was issued. In 1865 he opened Tony Pastors Opera House at 201 Bowery, presenting stage shows that appealed to family audiences, in contrast to the sometimes bawdy productions of earlier years. In the winter season of 1867-1868 the program included plays such as The White Crook (a parody on the famous play, The Black Crook) and The Shipwrecked Sailor. William Carleton singing Irish songs, comedy monologues, and performing monkeys and dogs were also seen.<p>Tony & Billy Pastors Combination Troupe played in various theatres, not necessarily including the Pastor brothers, who were usually busy in New York City. Billy Pastor billed himself as a comic vocalist and could be booked by applying to the theatre, which he also served as general manager. Billy died in 1877 of cancer in his residence at 115 West 17th Street.<p>，Ex Ralph Mitchell Collection; Jess Peters sale of November 1978, lot 158; Steve Tanenbaum, 2011; Q. David Bowers Collection.，