Henry Irving as Shylock

Pen and ink drawing (undated) of famed British Shakespearean actor Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905) as Shylock in 'The Merchant of Venice,' a role he played at Scranton (Pa.)'s Lyceum Theatre in 1904. Irving died a little over one year later. He performed in the U.S. a total of six times. Henry Irving was the first English actor to be knighted. He was recognized as one of the greatest actors in tragic roles in England and in the United States. The drawing is accompanied by an autograph card