Toy theatre
Category
Toys
Date
1800 - 1900
Materials
Paper, Wood
Measurements
356 mm (H)457 mm (W)229 mm (D)
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1338961.1
Summary
Benjamin Pollock toy theatre, on wooden base, grooved wooden frame at back, and front to back. Grooves are for the scenery. Front shaped as a proscenium arch theatre, covered in painted/printed paper with scenes, e.g. George and the Dragon, and audience in boxes. Above the stage, the date 1824. As separate items: 3 cardboard cut-out figures on wooden sticks. (Check against description of what’s in store). Currently displayed scene is ‘Sixth scene of first act in ‘Rob Roy’ No. 6’ and signed ‘W. West’ printed at top of backdrop and in bottom left corner. With 17 back drops, 34 tabs, one moonlight addition, 'The Millar and his Men' and 'Rob Roy'. Scenery in store. In notebook no.5, page 33 (1340945.5) Charles Wade refers to: 'Seventh Heaven no.26 Toy Theatre Benjamin Pollock. The Juvenile Theatrical Print Publisher. Little shop in Hoxton St. 23 Scenes with wings for ‘Rob Roy’, ‘Guy Mannering’, ‘The Miller & his Men’, The Old oak chest’, “Montrose” “Forty Thieves” “Wild Boy & Brigand” & a few figures. all in brilliant colours.' Includes sketch with dimension 18" across. 'Toy theatre dated 1824, said by Charles Paget Wade to be by Benjamin Pollack, the Juvenile Theatrical Print Publisher, Hoxton Street, London. Pollock, however, did not start trading until 1873. The earliest preserved toy theatres were published by William West in 1811 and between that date and 1850 nearly 100 (M. Jessup).
Provenance
CPW item 26 Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.
References
Wade, 1944: Charles Paget Wade, Contents of Snowshill Manor. Volume 5 Second Floor, 1944, Page 33