Use Restrictions

Public Domain. There are no known restrictions.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Preferred Citation

The New Baby theatrical posters, C0416, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Sent by James Olinkiewicz, an Antiques Dealer on Shelter Island in New York, in September 2017.

Processing Information

Processing and finding aid completed by Meghan Glasbrenner from November - December 2023.

Historical and Biographical Information

The New Baby is an English farcical comedy adapted by Arthur Bourchier from the German play Der Rabenvatter by Herren H.J. Fischer and J. Jarno. The plot centers around two retired husbands, Colonel Wilberforce Walker and Commodore Van Gütt, both of whom enjoy frequent leisure visits to London. While the Commodore's wife provides him with very little money for these excursions, the Colonel reveals that he is always able to receive ample funds because of an elaborate lie he told his wife 26 years ago: that he needs to support a child he fathered out of wedlock prior to their marriage. However, this comfortable arrangement soon becomes much more complicated when the Colonel's wife demands to meet the "baby" she has been supporting, which just so happens to overlap with a surprise visit by a 26-year old suitor who wishes to marry the couple's actual daughter. The play had its initial premiere on Easter Monday, April 6, 1896 at the Gaiety Theatre in Hastings, before opening at London's Royalty Theatre later that month. Sometime circa 1899 the play was produced in the United States by David de Wolf (listed on the posters as the play's "chaperone") who may have been the leader of a traveling theatre company.

Arthur Bourchier was born in Speen, Berkshire England on June 22, 1863 and educated at Eton and Oxford University. While at Oxford he began acting in an amateur theatre group and soon after founded the Oxford University Dramatic Society (OUDS). Bourchier continued acting professionally across both England and the United States and in 1893 performed opposite actress Violet Vanbrugh who he would go on to marry the following year. In 1895, Bourchier became lessee of London's newly reconstructed Royalty Theatre where he staged numerous productions, including several adaptations of his own including The New Baby and the highly successful The Chili Widow which reopened the theatre and ran for over 300 performances. Bourchier passed away on September 14, 1927 at the age of 64 after falling ill while on tour in South Africa.

The U.S. Lithographic Company was founded in January 1867 as Russell, Morgan & Company [Co.] by printers A.O. Russell and Robert J. Morgan and financial backers James M. Armstrong and John F. Robinson, Jr. following purchase of The Cincinnati Enquirer's printing section. The company initially printed posters for theatrical and circus productions, as well as placards and labels. In 1880, Russell proposed expanding their manufacturing to include playing cards, with the company's first deck completed the following year on June 28, and by 1894 the playing card portion of the business had grown large enough that it separated into The United States Playing Card Company, which is still in operation today. In 1891, Russell, Morgan & Company changed their name to The United States Printing Company [Co.], but continued to include "Russell Morgan Print" in large letters along with the formal company name on all printed items. In 1901, the company changed their name to United States [U.S.] Lithograph Company [Co.] and sometime between 1912-1914 changed their name once again to United States Printing & Lithograph Company [Co.] and began expanding their entertainment industry printing to include film posters.

Scope and Content

A collection of 10 individual lithographic theatrical posters advertising David de Wolf's American production of Arthur Bourchier's farcical comedy The New Baby . The smallest poster measures approximately 26 x 21 inches. Seven of the posters measure approximately 28 x 21-23 inches. The largest single page poster measure approximately 42 x 28 inches. The final oversized poster is divided into three individual pieces, each measuring approximately 42 x 28 inches.

Two of the posters have stamps attributing printing to the U.S. Printing Co. and are dated 1899, while seven, including the largest single page and oversized three panel posters, have stamps attributing printing to the U.S. Lithograph Co., dating them after 1901, but several appear to be based on designs circa 1900. The smallest poster has no visible printing stamp.

Arrangement

Posters are arranged by size in a single map case.

Related Material

The Special Collections Research Center holds other lithographs and theatrical posters including the Porgy and Bess poster collection , and the East German poster collection performing arts series .

The Library of Congress holds the Theatrical poster collection and other posters and printed items produced by the U.S. Printing/Lithograph Company.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Bourchier, Arthur, 1863-1927
• Lithography
• Performing arts
• Performing arts posters
• Theater
• Theater -- United States
• Theatrical posters
• U.S. Lithograph Co