Lot 566: Aubrey Hammond (1893-1940) 'LONDON'S GRAND

Aubrey Hammond (1893-1940) 'LONDON'S GRAND GUIGNOL, LITTLE THEATRE, GRAND STREET, ADELPHI, STRAND' Lithographic poster, inscribed in the plate with artist's name and date 1921 l.l. 74 x 95cm The Grand Guignol originated in Paris in 1897 and until its closing in 1962 specialised in naturalistic horror shows. Its name is often used as a general term for graphic, amoral horror entertainment. The success of a performance was judged by the number of patrons who passed out from shock; the average was two faintings each evening! Grand Guignol flourished briefly in London in the early 1920s under the direction of Jose Levy