H Beard Print Collection
Print
ca. 18th century (printed)
ca. 18th century (printed)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
In 1826, Eliza Vestris, dressed as a Bavarian girl, had a great hit with the song Buy a Broom, for which Alexander Lee set new words to an old German air. At her benefit later that year, Vestris teamed up with John Liston, and dressed in similar costumes sang the ballad as a duet. Liston was acknowledged as one of the funniest performers of his generation, and the combination of the bizarre and nonsensical comedian with the exquisite Vestris proved irresistible. The impression that the duet made was so great that Ingrey and Madeley found it profitable to issue this commemorative lithograph. Lithography was introduced at the beginning of the 19th century and was the first important mass printing technique for illustrations. At this time, colour was still applied by hand. You can see in the background of the image that Ingrey and Madeley took every opportunity to advertise themselves and their new technology.
The singer and actress Emma Sarah Love also sang this song at London's Vauxhall Gardens and the publishers Goulding d'Almaine of the music sheet of Miss Love singing Buy a Broom similarly labelled one of the terraced houses in the background with their firm's name.
The singer and actress Emma Sarah Love also sang this song at London's Vauxhall Gardens and the publishers Goulding d'Almaine of the music sheet of Miss Love singing Buy a Broom similarly labelled one of the terraced houses in the background with their firm's name.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | H Beard Print Collection (named collection) |
Materials and techniques | lithograph coloured |
Brief description | Colour scene with Madame Vestris and Mr. Liston in their duet Buy A Broom, Harry Beard Collection |
Physical description | Colour scene with Madame Vestris and Mr. Liston in their duet Buy A Broom. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Harry R. Beard Collection, given by Isobel Beard |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | In 1826, Eliza Vestris, dressed as a Bavarian girl, had a great hit with the song Buy a Broom, for which Alexander Lee set new words to an old German air. At her benefit later that year, Vestris teamed up with John Liston, and dressed in similar costumes sang the ballad as a duet. Liston was acknowledged as one of the funniest performers of his generation, and the combination of the bizarre and nonsensical comedian with the exquisite Vestris proved irresistible. The impression that the duet made was so great that Ingrey and Madeley found it profitable to issue this commemorative lithograph. Lithography was introduced at the beginning of the 19th century and was the first important mass printing technique for illustrations. At this time, colour was still applied by hand. You can see in the background of the image that Ingrey and Madeley took every opportunity to advertise themselves and their new technology. The singer and actress Emma Sarah Love also sang this song at London's Vauxhall Gardens and the publishers Goulding d'Almaine of the music sheet of Miss Love singing Buy a Broom similarly labelled one of the terraced houses in the background with their firm's name. |
Associated object | |
Other number | F.24-63 - H Beard collection numbering |
Collection | |
Accession number | S.181-2009 |
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Record created | January 12, 2009 |
Record URL |
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