An engraving of a scene from Tom Cobb, a three-act farce by W. S. Gilbert. Here, the eponymous Cobb sits smoking a pipe in the background while the Effingham family form a group in front. Gilbert, with Arthur Sullivan, had already produced their hit one-act comic opera Trial by Jury by the time Tom Cobb was written, but both Gilbert and Sullivan were still producing a considerable amount of work separately. The play premiered on 24 April 1875, but although it was praised by the critics, the original production ran for only 53 performances.Artist: David Henry Friston; Restoration: Adam Cuerden