Tinsel print of Mrs W. Daly as ‘Poll Maggott’ , published in London 1839
$295.00 AUD
Hand Coloured theatrical ‘Tinsel’ engraving of Mrs W. Daly as ‘Poll Maggott’, showing her in stylish dress, a backdrop of buildings with house-breakers at work, coloured in original watercolours.
Titled ‘Mrs W. Daly as Poll Maggott’, ‘Published in London by J.L. Marks on December 17 1839’
Frame: 28.5 x 23.5cm
Condition: slight discolouration of paper, otherwise good condition
Dating to the earlier 19th century, a ‘Tinsel’ picture was a theatrical image of a stage character of the time, available as either plain for a penny, or coloured for tuppence. They were then enhanced with ‘tinsel’, tinfoil cutouts, glittery beads and scraps of cloth, as a home project, aimed at the children in need of entertainment. This example is not embellished, just coloured.
The character ‘Poll Maggot’ appeared in Harrison William Ainsworth’s novel ‘Jack Sheppard’, a real-life crime story published in parts in Bentley’s Miscellany from January 1839 until February 1840. The character was based on the real-life Poll, who along with another girl, Bess Lyon, were responsible for edging Jack Sheppard into his brief but glorious life of crime. This print has her played by Mrs W. Daly, and as it was published December 17th, 1839, it is from the original performance of the story in that year. It was such a controversial depiction of the criminal underclass that there was a ban on the title ‘Jack Sheppard’ being used in advertising it in London for 40 years!
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