The date is probably late December 1904, because the season started on Boxing Day. J.N. Maskelyne was busy making arrangements for the opening of St. George’s Hall, so he arranged for Martin Chapender to take over the final weeks of the lease on the Egyptian Hall, prior to its demolition. The season ran from Boxing Day to Saturday 21 January 1905. The show was very well received by audiences and the press.
This clipping from ‘The Daily Telegraph’ includes Maskelyne and Cooke’s Christmas Programme. It mentions the new and original magical romance ‘The Philosopher’s Stone’, Herr Valadon and Animated Photographs.
Other London entertainments are also mentioned.
The first advertisement for Maskelyne highlights the Christmas Holiday Programme. (The Christmas programme usually ran well into the following year.) The second one highlights an animated photograph of the funeral procession of Queen Victoria.
The first advertisement for Maskelyne highlights the Christmas Holiday Programme. (The Christmas programme usually ran well into the following year.) The second one highlights an animated photograph of the funeral procession of Queen Victoria.
Also advertised are entertainments at the Crystal Palace, London Hippodrome, St. James’ Hall and the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington.
Devant explains that a member of the Ladies’ Grand Council has suggested that members might like to purchase a block of seats on Mr. Maskelyne’s Grand Pavilion to view the procession for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Along the bottom of the item is an unrelated piece illustrating Devant producing a rabbit on ‘animated photograph’ film. It explains how animated photographs work and acts as an advertisement for Devant’s exhibitions.
It is well known that Devant tried to sell seats in Maskelyne’s Grand Stand at St. Paul’s for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee procession on 22 June 1897, for example, see Ref. no. N2082. However, this is the only evidence that I have seen for Devant selling seats in the Royal Horse Guards Pavilion in Whitehall, a completely different part of London. The Magic Circle Archive also has a copy of this advertisement.
Devant announces new animated photographs for his ‘Cinematographe’. He also explains that to ensure he is able to obtain good pictures of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee procession on 22 June 1897, he has 140 seats for disposal on Mr. Maskelyne’s Grand Stand. The fascinating story of Maskelyne’s Grand Stand can be found in ‘John Nevil Maskelyne’s Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee speculation‘ by Dr Edwin A Dawes on this website.
Attached to the notepaper is a newspaper advertisement for the Egyptian Hall Maskelyne and Cooke Christmas Holiday show. No date is given, but the contents of the show relate to Christmas 1898. Items mentioned on the bill are the sketch ‘Trapped by Magic’; Animated Photographs; David Devant; Mel B. Spurr. The animated photographs include “Off to the Cape” taken on board a Castle Liner by R.W. Paul.
This advertisement from ‘The Daily Graphic’ of 19 January 1894, page 6, gives rather more information about the show than is usually found in newspaper advertisements. Mr. M.B. Spurr introduced a new sketch entitled ‘Liberty Hall’. David Devant was also on the bill.
These advertisements, which are photocopies, are signed: To Jimmy Findlay with Best Wishes Wilfred Hutchinson Oct 1957. There are two clippings, both from ‘The Daily Telegraph’, dated 31 August 1892 and 19 May 1893. The places of entertainment and some of the people involved are listed in the details.
