The Absent-Minded Beggar.

£125 · Offered by Maggs Bros Ltd

The poem, printed here in facsimile, was written at the beginning of the Boer War, and the proceeds from sales were devoted by the Daily Mail to the wives and children of the reservists. A “souvenir presented to mark the 100th performance of Sydney Grundy’s The Degenerates at the Garrick Theatre on Friday 24th October 1899. Lillie Langtry, who was presenting the play as part of her season at the theatre and who was playing Mrs. Trevelyan in the production, recited Kipling’s poem The Absent-Minded Beggar from the stage after the final curtain, and presented every audience member with one of these souvenirs. They were described as: ‘a full size Edition de Luxe in facsimile of Mr. Kipling’s manuscript, specially printed by The Daily Mail for this occasion. To use the poem for the souvenir Mrs. Langtry subscribed a hundred pounds (worth about twelve thousand pounds in 2018) to The Daily Mail fund for the wives and children of the reservists fighting in South Africa.” (V A catalogue note, S.1218-1982). An excellent copy, despite some foxing on the upper panel.

• Year: 1899

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