This very rare ivory opera token belonged to Francis Jack Needham, 2nd Earl of Kilmorey (1787-1880), Member of Parliament and High Sheriff of Down in 1828. Lord Kilmorey scandalised Victorian society by eloping with his ward, Priscilla Hoste, daughter of Admiral Sir William Hoste and Lady Harriet Walpole. The Earl was allegedly known as “Black Jack” to the public and as the “Wicked Earl” amongst his family. In 1822, Lord Kilmorey had to row from Oxford to Westminster Bridge for 14 hours after losing a bet! He was also extremely wealthy, owning 55,000 acres of which 43 acres were in Isleworth (besides the Thames). He and his wife are both buried at the Kilmorey Mausoleum, a Grade II-listed Egyptian-style mausoleum. It is suggested that Lord Kilmorey believed that the very expensive mausoleum held occult properties and could act as a time machine. In the end, the aristocrat had so many wild and colorful stories attributed to him which is likely how he earned his nickname the “Wicked Earl”. Interesting tidbit: there is an overgrown path down a glen in Ireland known as “Unhappy Lady Kilmorey’s” path, where his first wife Jane, whom Lord Kilmorey largely ignored, supposedly walked up and down the path bewailing her fate. This token was issued to the Earl of Kilmorey for the 1842 season at Her Majesty’s Theatre (“Kilmory” was instead engraved likely due to space limitations). Already pierced for suspension, all it’s waiting is for you to add your favorite bail and it is ready to wear as a necklace. Jane Austen notoriously collected opera tokens, pierced the top and wore them on a bracelet. Elizabeth Taylor famously followed suit and collected antique opera tokens to wear as a necklace, which soon ensued massive popularity and rarity. Materials: Ivory. Measurement: 37mm Condition: Very good. Please view photos for proper condition report and feel free to ask any questions prior to purchase. Circa 1842 Source: A Short History of Mourne Park, Julie Ann Anley, October 1999; Talk: Andrew George on The Earl, his lover, their temple: the story of Black Jack Needham, February 2022