Welcome toThe Rothschild Archive'swebsite

Sources for business history: plans of New Court

Sources for art history: Catalogue of the pictures of Alfred de Rothschild 1901

Sources for yachting history: Plans for Nathaniel von Rothschild's yacht Veglia 1905

Sources for natural history: Walter 2nd Lord Rothschild and his zebra carriage: c.1910

Sources for global financial history: Map of lines of the Brazil Railway Company: c.1920

Sources for business history: index cards to bank files

Sources for social history: Rothschild Hospital Paris: 1920s

Sources for business history: detail of a Rothschild bond coupon

Sources for architectural history: Halton House: 1890s

Sources for the history of travel: Lionel de Rothschild's tours of Spain: 1909

Sources for local history: Tring Park: c.1900

Sources for Royal history: shooting party with Edward Prince of Wales: 1893

Sources for political history: Lionel de Rothschild: first Jewish MP: 1858

Sources for sporting history: St Amant winner of the Derby: 1904

Sources for local history: gardeners at Aston Clinton: 1899

Sources for Rothschild family history: Lionel de Rothschild's yacht Rhodora: 1927

Sources for London history: entrance to New Court: 1965

Sources for design history: plans for Lionel de Rothschild's Rolls-Royce: 1930

Sources for business history: Rothschild gold bars produced by the Royal Mint Refinery: 1930s

Sources for business history: letters of August Belmont Rothschild Agent in New York: 1860s

Theatre

The social circle of Alfred de Rothschild (1842-1918) included many friends from the world of music and theatre. His enthusiasm was matched by practical commitment. He helped to finance Sir Henry Irving at the Lyceum and was principal shareholder in his friend George Edwardes' Gaiety and Empire Theatres.

In France, the many-talented Henri de Rothschild (1872-1947) also turned to the theatre. In his 30s, under the name André Pascal, he began to write for the stage. His first one-acter ran for three months in Paris in 1906. A full-length comedy opened three years later and toured abroad. In all 37 of his plays were produced.

In the 1920s, Henri, like Alfred made a practical commitment to the stage, building the Theatre Pigalle in a state-of-the-art chrome and neon style. It opened on 10 October 1929 with a historical revue, L'Histoire de La France by Sacha Giutry. Thereafter, for two years, under the direction of Henri's son, Philippe (1902-1988), it was given over to the work of avant-garde playwrights. In 1931, Henri gave up active involvement with the theatre. It was demolished in 1957.

The line of theatrical involvement continued into the next generation. Philippe's daughter, the late Baroness Phillipine de Rothschild (1933-2014) was herself, for a time, an actress with the Comedie Française - and married its director, Jacques Sereys in 1961.

Meanwhile, Edmond de Rothschild (1926-1997) had married in 1958, Nadine L'hopitalier (b.1932), a revue artiste who, as Nadine Tallier, had gone on to appear in some 40 films.

Support for theatrical development also continues into the present generation. The reconstruction of the Globe Theatre in London enjoyed the continual support of Sir Evelyn de Rothschild (b.1931), a Trustee of the Shakespeare's Globe Trust.

Facade of Henri de Rothschild's 'Theatre Pigalle' 1929.

Facade of Henri de Rothschild's 'Theatre Pigalle' 1929.