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Mischief

Print
1891 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Sheet music cover for 'Mischief' as sung by Marie Lloyd, written by Thomas Le Brunn and composed by George Le Brunn. Published in London by Charles Sheard & Co., 1891.

Before the use of gramophones and radio became widespread, the music sheet was the mainstay of the music industry. The explosion in popularity of parlour music in the late 19th century, with a piano becoming a fixture in the home, led to the printing of famous songs from the music hall stage. This music sheet is one of many that were issued with the words and music of songs performed by the music hall star Marie Lloyd.

Marie Lloyd (1870-1922) had a career spanning 40 years. She first appeared at the Eagle Tavern in London aged 15 as Bella Delmare, singing ‘My Soldier Laddie’. By 1885 she had become Marie Lloyd with her hit song ‘The Boy I Love is Up in the Gallery’. She was a huge success and topped the bill at the West End music halls. Her songs were full of innuendo and double meaning. ‘She’d never had her ticket punched before’ and ‘Oh Mr Porter what shall I do?’ appeared innocent on first reading but took on a very saucy interpretation when performed by Miss Lloyd.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleMischief (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Lithograph, printing ink on paper
Brief description
Sheet music cover for 'Mischief' as sung by Marie Lloyd, written by Thomas Le Brunn and composed by George Le Brunn. Published in London by Charles Sheard & Co., 1891
Physical description
Music sheet cover for 'Mischief', illustrated with a full length image of Marie Lloyd in a striped dress and scenes from the song. On the reverse is a list of 'New and Standard Songs of Intrinsic Merit'.
Dimensions
  • Height: 35.8cm
  • Width: 25.6cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
'This Song may be Sung Anywhere without fee or Licence / Except at Music Halls. / MISCHIEF. / Imitation Negro Song and Dance, / Words by/ Thos. / Le Brunn, / Music by / Geo. Le Brunn, / Sung With The / Greatest Possible / Success by / MISS MARIE / LLOYD. / Copyright for all Countries / London / Charles Sheard & Co. / Music Publishers & Printers, / 192 High Holborn, W.C. / Copyright 1891, by Charles Sheard & Co. / W. T. Stannard, Lith / Price 4/-' (Printed on cover)
Credit line
Given by the estate of Ned Sherrin in memory of Caryl Brahms and Ned Sherrin
Object history
NB: The term "negro" was used historically to describe people of black African heritage but, since the 1960s, has fallen from usage and, increasingly, is considered offensive. The term is repeated here in its original historical context.
Subject depicted
Summary
Sheet music cover for 'Mischief' as sung by Marie Lloyd, written by Thomas Le Brunn and composed by George Le Brunn. Published in London by Charles Sheard & Co., 1891.

Before the use of gramophones and radio became widespread, the music sheet was the mainstay of the music industry. The explosion in popularity of parlour music in the late 19th century, with a piano becoming a fixture in the home, led to the printing of famous songs from the music hall stage. This music sheet is one of many that were issued with the words and music of songs performed by the music hall star Marie Lloyd.

Marie Lloyd (1870-1922) had a career spanning 40 years. She first appeared at the Eagle Tavern in London aged 15 as Bella Delmare, singing ‘My Soldier Laddie’. By 1885 she had become Marie Lloyd with her hit song ‘The Boy I Love is Up in the Gallery’. She was a huge success and topped the bill at the West End music halls. Her songs were full of innuendo and double meaning. ‘She’d never had her ticket punched before’ and ‘Oh Mr Porter what shall I do?’ appeared innocent on first reading but took on a very saucy interpretation when performed by Miss Lloyd.
Collection
Accession number
S.83-2012

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Record createdMarch 14, 2012
Record URL
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