The Absent Minded-Beggar
by Daily Mail; Kipling, Rudyard; Sullivan, Arthur:
- Used
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
London, United Kingdom
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
[London?], c. 1900. Second Anglo-Boer War souvenir handkerchief, 45 x 45 cm, printed in blue ink on fine linen, a couple of trivial spots, blank verso. Set in the borders of a map showing the contested regions of South Africa (chiefly Orange Free State and Transvaal) is the text of Rudyard Kipling's poem 'The Absent-Minded Beggar', with the music of Arthur Sullivan. The map is further adorned with portraits of Queen Victoria and Field Marshal Lord Roberts, who was commander of British forces in the field between December 1899 and December 1900. It was published by the Daily Mail, then a relatively new but highly successful British newspaper: established in 1896, its circulation had soared to over a million - the largest in the world - by the war's end in 1902. Kipling presented his poem to the Mail, which established a charitable fund (soon known as the Absent Minded Beggar Fund) to provide comforts for British troops on campaign and support for their families at home. Sullivan was prevailed upon to set it to music, and it was first sung in public in November 1899. It caught the public mood and was reproduced in many forms. The handkerchiefs were in circulation by March 1900. Local newspapers carry advertisements from wholesalers and retailers around the country, all promising to donate a portion of the profits to the fund. Advertising in the Bradford Daily Telegraph (8 March 1900) one vendor described them as the latest novelty, a work of art, further suggesting that they could make a useful present, everybody pleased with them. An Exeter draper excitedly advertised another delivery in the March 28 issue of the Western Echo. They seem to have sold for between twopence and threepence each. Map
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Details
- Bookseller
- Bryars and Bryars (GB)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 9720
- Title
- The Absent Minded-Beggar
- Author
- Daily Mail; Kipling, Rudyard; Sullivan, Arthur:
- Book Condition
- Used
- Place of Publication
- [London?]
- Date Published
- c. 1900
- Bookseller catalogs
- Africa;
Terms of Sale
Bryars and Bryars
Books may be returned within seven days of receipt if not entirely as described. All items remain the property of the vendor until payment has been received in full. Payment must be made in Pounds Sterling drawn on a UK bank.
About the Seller
Bryars and Bryars
Biblio member since 2006
London
About Bryars and Bryars
Our shop is located in Cecil Court, a charming Victorian backwater in the heart of London's theatreland which boasts over 20 specialist book, map and print shops. Open: Mon-Sat 11-6. Nearest tube: Leicester Square (Exit 1, Charing Cross Road south, towards National Gallery).
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Verso
- The page bound on the left side of a book, opposite to the recto page.
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- New
- A new book is a book previously not circulated to a buyer. Although a new book is typically free of any faults or defects, "new"...