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Caricature - Arthur Logan in Zip Goes a Million
  • Arthur Logan in Zip Goes a Million
    Sommerlad, Gilbert, born 1904 - died 1976
  • Enlarge image

Arthur Logan in Zip Goes a Million

  • Object:

    Caricature

  • Place of origin:

    Oxford, England (drawn)

  • Date:

    25 August 1953 (dated)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Sommerlad, Gilbert, born 1904 - died 1976 (artist)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Pencil on cream cartridge paper

  • Credit Line:

    Given by Michael Sommerlad

  • Museum number:

    S.130:17-2002

  • Gallery location:

    In Storage

  • Image in copyright

This caricature shows Arthur Logan in Zip Goes a Million at the Oxford New Theatre on 25 August 1953. It was drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976), a rehearsal pianist and orchestral violinist at the Brighton Theatre Royal from 1932 until 1936, and at the Oxford New Theatre from 1936 for over forty years. Sommerlad sketched the stars on stage when he wasn't needed in the orchestra pit, compiling the sketches in a series of albums.

Zip Goes a Million, the 'musical extravaganza' based on the 1906 farce Brewster's Millions, was originally presented at London's Palace Theatre in 1951.

Physical description

Pencil caricature of Arthur Logan in Zip Goes a Million, dated 25 August 1953, part of an artist's hard-backed sketch book manufactured by George Rowney & Co., called 'The Euston Sketch Book'. The pencilled sketch is drawn directly onto the page (cream cartridge paper). Titled and dated by the artist and signed by the subject.

Place of Origin

Oxford, England (drawn)

Date

25 August 1953 (dated)

Artist/maker

Sommerlad, Gilbert, born 1904 - died 1976 (artist)

Materials and Techniques

Pencil on cream cartridge paper

Marks and inscriptions

ZIP GOES A MILLION G.J.S. AUG 25th 1953
Good luck & many thanks sincerely Arthur Logan

Dimensions

Height: 16.5 cm, Width: 12.6 cm

Object history note

The artist of these caricatures, Gilbert Sommerlad, was by profession a musician who was born into a family that had a long tradition of professional musicians. In 1936 he moved to the recently built New Theatre, Oxford, to join his brother Roy (violin and clarinet) as resident pianist.

Gilbert was an exceptionally good and popular rehearsal pianist, and visiting companies and individual performers used to make sure that he would be available. He became well-known in the profession and his ability as a caricaturist became common knowledge. The volume that includes this drawing contains sketches mostly of musical directors and conductors working at the Oxford New Theatre with Gilbert Sommerlad.

Descriptive line

Pencil caricature by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976) of Arthur Logan in Zip Goes a Million. Dated 25 August 1953

Subjects depicted

Logan, Arthur

Categories

Entertainment & Leisure; Drawings; Caricatures & Cartoons

Collection code

T&P

Qr_O87153
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