Miss Scott as Black Eyed Susan, in the nautical melodrama of the same name by Douglas Jerrold, Surrey Theatre, 1829. Copper plate engraving coloured by hand with fabric and tinsel additions, the figure and background cut from the plate and mounted. Published by A Park, No 62

Full length female figure against a nautical background, with head turned left, left arm raised and right arm held out behind, holding handkerchief, wearing a large brimmed hat trimmed with bold dark green bows and ribbons, a tinsel jewel necklace with a gold star, a pale red low-necked bodice with puffed sleeves pale red, with pale yellow trims and lacing, studded with tinsel beads, the ankle-length beige skirt, studded with rows of tinsel beads, opens at front to reveal yellow petticoat, over which hangs an apron trimmed with roses. The sky is tinted blue and the shore brown. The brim, bodice and skirt have been cut away and the print backed with gold fabric at the brim, pale red fabric at the bodice and sleeves and beige fabric on the skirt. Titled: Miss Scott as Black Eyed Susan. Copper plate engraving coloured by hand with fabric and tinsel additions, the figure and background cut from the plate and mounted. Published by A Park, No 62

Cyril W. Beaumont Bequest

The print depicts Miss Scott as Susan in Douglas Jerrold's nautical melodrama Black Eyed Susan, which ran for over 400 performances at the Surrey Theatre, London, in 1829.
The print came to the Museum as part of the Cyril Beaumont Bequest.

Historical significance: The making of tinsel prints was a popular past-time in the early 19th century. This print commemorates one of the most popular nautical melodramas of the first half of the century, running for 400 consecutive performances, and enjoying several revivals.

The print depicts Miss Scott as Susan in Douglas Jerrold's nautical melodrama Black Eyed Susan, which ran for over 400 performances at London's Surrey Theatre in 1829 and enjoyed several revivals..

The making of tinsel prints was a popular past-time in the early 19th century. Printsellers published engraved portraits of actors and actresses in starring roles as soon as they made their names in the roles at the theatre. Fans would buy the portraits to paint and decorate with the tinsel and leather scraps that were sold for the purpose. Traditionally they were then framed in frames of walnut wood.

S.362-2000