The story 'Robin Hood and the Blackbird: A Tale of a Christmas Dinner' is recounted here in a collection of six horizontal format cards, and combines pictures of happy children with visual references to the popular Robin Hood tales. Published by Marcus Ward & Co, this piece recasts the characters from the original Robin Hood story as children. Robin is easily identified by his characteristic costume of green tights, plumed hat and fold-over boots.
Physical description
Upon this card appears the full poem of which each of four colour lithograph cards illustrates a part.
Place of Origin
London, England (published)
Belfast, Northern Ireland (published)
Date
second half 19th century (made)
Artist/maker
Marcus Ward & Co. (publisher)
Materials and Techniques
Colour lithograph on paper card
Marks and inscriptions
1./A rhyme, a rhyme, a Christmas rhyme/ Of what befell, at Christmas time,/ To that bold hunter Robin Hood,/ Maid Marian, and the archers good./ One year, whose date I don't remember,/ It froze and snowed all thro' December;/ Birds small and great died off in pairs;/ The famished foxes ate the hares;/ Deer were devoured by wolves and bears./ Said Robin to his merry men,/ "No game is left." Said Marian then,/ For Christmas feast, some there must be,/ Remember, you've invited me!"/ So Robin donned his green and feather,/ And the merry troop set forth together;/ But nothing found all day, till, lo!/ A poor starved blackbird cross'd the snow./ Bold Robin stopped and bent his bow;/ Then Marian cried, "Forbear this time!"/ But Robin shot - so runs the rhyme.
2./ A ryhme, a rhyme, a merry rhyme/ Of what befell at Christmas time,/ To Robin Hood, his archers good,/ And Marian, in merry Sherwood./ What Robin shot, they all averred,/ Was scarcely worth the name of bird./ "And I shall always say 'twas mean/ To kill a thing so poor and lean,"/ Said Marian, the forest queen./ Said Allan-a-dale to Little John,/ "Just look what we're to feast upon."/ Cried Tuck the Friar, "My cooking, friends,/ For all ill-luck shall make amends."/ Said Robin Hood, "I did my best;/ To thee, friend Friar, I leave the rest."/ "Then follow me and you shall see,"/ Said Tuck, "how soon a feast shall be/ Prepared for this gay company."/ So after Tuck, in merry time,/ they piped and marched - so runs the rhyme.
Dimensions
Height: 9 cm, Width: 14.3 cm
Descriptive line
Christmas card
Materials
Paper
Techniques
Colour lithography
Categories
Prints; Greeting cards; Christmas
Collection code
PDP
