Straipsnio objektas – Vilniaus teatro afišos iš Lietuvos mokslų akademijos Vrublevskių bibliotekos rinkinių. Analizuojamos jų patekimo į biblioteką aplinkybės ir reikšmė tiriant Vilniaus teatro istorijos raidos etapus. Afišų išorinių bruožų analizė per istorinio konteksto prizmę papildoma įdomiais faktais apie spektaklių pastatymus ir charakteringas laikmečio asmenybes.
The collection of old playbills kept in the Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences is unique because of its age and specificity. The playbills are indispensable historical source for research of Vilnius City Theatre (established 1785 – closed down 1915). It represents wide view of cultural activity in the national scene during anxious time of Czarist regime. Playbills help historians to reconstruct repertoire, acting ensemble, they also provide information about the Russian Empire policy, the printing technologies in Lithuania, cultural trends and interactions. Playbills of Vilnius City Theatre were added to the library collections from various sources during the period between the First and Second World War. The imprints on the documents let us claim that most of the oldest playbills were donated to the library by Lucyan Uziębło – writer, publicist, librarian and member of the Society of the Friends of Science (Towarzystwo Przyjaciół Nauk w Wilnie). The oldest performance playbill dates back to 1787, and is marked by this collector‘ s imprint. Among the other donors Wacław Wejtko, Michał Brensztejn, Elena Dorochova can be mentioned. In addition to the review of the main features of the Vilnius City Theatre playbills, it is useful to evaluate their current condition and perspectives of preservation. Playbills from approximately second half of 19th century are in relatively good condition, mostly stored individually, but few repertoire seasons from 1860’s are bound into books. Most of them require only minimal restoration, but there are some who need immediate assistance. The selection of playbills for preservation and reservation is prioritized taking into account both playbill age and the specific external features. Playbills in our library are being restored since 1997 and currently there are about twenty preserved pieces. Findings of the examination of the presented library fund suggest that preventive maintenance of the future perspectives is possibly more important than global restoration. Playbills should be stored in specially designed shelvings. Fragile playbills should avoid direct contact and harmful climate. Therefore, the library does not exclude an option to make digital copies of this fund in the future.
