Be Sure you say I'm out thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Be Sure you say I'm out

Sheet Music
ca. 19th century (printed and published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Music sheet cover for "Be Sure you say I'm out", composed by Walter Burnot, sung by Albert Steele and Miss Lily Burnot, published by D'Alcorn, ca. 19th century. "Be Sure You Say I'm Out" refers to the problem of middle class debt. The illustration shows a respectable gentleman who tells his wife to lie to the debt collectors at the door, as he does not wish to speak to them. Social status was very important in Victorian times, and keeping up appearances was very costly. If you didn't have a private income, it was all too easy to live beyond your means.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleBe Sure you say I'm out (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Lithograph
Brief description
Music sheet cover for "Be Sure you say I'm out", composed by Walter Burnot, sung by Albert Steele and Miss Lily Burnot, published by D'Alcorn, ca. 19th century.
Physical description
Cover of the sheet music for "Be sure you say I'm out". This illustration shows shows a gentleman telling his wife to lie to the debt collectors who are at the door.
Dimensions
  • Height: 35cm (approx)
  • Width: 25cm (approx)
Credit line
Gabrielle Enthoven Collection
Subjects depicted
Association
Literary referenceBe sure to say I'm out
Summary
Music sheet cover for "Be Sure you say I'm out", composed by Walter Burnot, sung by Albert Steele and Miss Lily Burnot, published by D'Alcorn, ca. 19th century. "Be Sure You Say I'm Out" refers to the problem of middle class debt. The illustration shows a respectable gentleman who tells his wife to lie to the debt collectors at the door, as he does not wish to speak to them. Social status was very important in Victorian times, and keeping up appearances was very costly. If you didn't have a private income, it was all too easy to live beyond your means.
Collection
Accession number
S.790-2012

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Record createdAugust 29, 2012
Record URL
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