Shaksperean show book : with original literary contributions, illustrations, and music from the following writers, artists, and composers, all specially contributed "for charity."
1884
Items
Details
Title
Shaksperean show book : with original literary contributions, illustrations, and music from the following writers, artists, and composers, all specially contributed "for charity."
Published
Manchester [England] : George Falkner & Sons, art printers, the Imperial Press, [1884]
Description
xi, 125, lxviii pages : illustrations, portraits, music ; 14 x 26 cm
Associated name
Wood, J. S., 1853-1920, editor.
Chelsea Hospital for Women (London, England), honouree.
George Falkner & Sons (Manchester, England), publisher.
Chelsea Hospital for Women (London, England), honouree.
George Falkner & Sons (Manchester, England), publisher.
Summary
Souvenir of a fair held at the Albert Hall in May 1884 to benefit the Chelsea Hospital for Women. The fair included tableaux of Shakespearean scenes, music, processions, and refreshments. The organizers, led by J.S. Wood, hoped to raise enough money to pay off the hospital's mortgage of 5,000 pounds.
Note
"Showman's note" on page xi signed "J.S.W." [i.e., J.S. Wood] and dated May 29th, 1884.
Title from page [vii].
Consisting of the programmes of a fancy fair held for the benefit of the Chelsea Hospital for Women, together with original tales and poems. Edited by J.S. Wood.--British Museum Catalogue
lxviii pages of advertisements from sponsors of the Shakspeare Show at end.
Issued with preprinted banker's order tipped in ahead of page i. Supporters were also offered the opportunity to purchase annual subscriptions, endow beds, or have a ward in the hospital named in their honor.
Includes literary and artistic contributions from names such as Lord Tennyson, Robert Browning, Oscar Wilde, John Dinsdale, and Walter Crane.
Title from page [vii].
Consisting of the programmes of a fancy fair held for the benefit of the Chelsea Hospital for Women, together with original tales and poems. Edited by J.S. Wood.--British Museum Catalogue
lxviii pages of advertisements from sponsors of the Shakspeare Show at end.
Issued with preprinted banker's order tipped in ahead of page i. Supporters were also offered the opportunity to purchase annual subscriptions, endow beds, or have a ward in the hospital named in their honor.
Includes literary and artistic contributions from names such as Lord Tennyson, Robert Browning, Oscar Wilde, John Dinsdale, and Walter Crane.
Genre/form
Advertisements.
Souvenir programs.
Souvenir programs.
Place of creation/publication
Great Britain -- England -- Manchester, -- publication place.
Item Details
Call number
Sh.Misc. 1721
Folger-specific note
Publisher's paper cover (reinforced), printed in red and black. Lacking preprinted banker's order (torn along perforated edge).
Folger accession
12-31-58
Call number
FAST ACC 271139 (folio)
Folger-specific note
From dealer's description: "Sold at a ‘Bazaar’ and Exhibition at the Albert Hall, the Shaksperean Show Book helpfully included a preprinted bankers order for visitors to help pay down the £5,000 mortgage debt that still hung over the Chelsea Hospital for Women. In many ways this work facilitated any donor to buy themselves into society. A donation of £21 allowed a life time governorship of the hospital and the sum of £1000, not only gave the hospital an ‘Endowed Bed’ but also the position of vice-president for any man, or the role of Patroness if the donation happened to be from a woman! Robert Browning allowed the printing of his poem ‘The Names’ and Oscar Wilde allowed the first printing of ‘Under the Balcony.’ Walter Crane, Luke Fildes, and Randolph Caldecott gave artistic contributions and Frederick Cowen some of his music, other now lesser lights of the ‘Chelsea set’ filled out the work. Copious advertisements at the end of the publication also helped to raise funds, the publishers producing a mock antique effect that enhanced the Shakespearian theme. The Albert Hall was hired for the occasion with stalls representing various Shakespearian scenes populated by ladies and gentleman dressed in contemporary costumes arranged about the event in order to sell various articles to raise funds. An exhibition of Shakespearean relics together with a mock up of Shakespeare’s home and Anne Hathaway’s cottage were included to divert the visitors. The Show Book was sold at the door, as one contemporary report had it ‘by young ladies dressed in the trying, if picturesque, costume of Servingmaids of Shakspere’s times." Ordered from Pickering & Chatto, D 9290, 2019-03-08, 59th New York Bookfair, item #81. Purchase made possible by The Ann Jennalie Cook Acquisitions Fund. This copy has not yet been cataloged. The description may contain incorrect information. The "FAST ACC" number is a temporary call number. Please email catalog@folger.edu for assistance.