This is a reprint from the Music Hall & Showman, 21 February 1902. The article is worth reading because it gives some insight into Clark’s interests and style. The drawing of him on the front hints at his versatility. Both sides of the reprint are illustrated here.
The card states that the entertainment is under the direction of Mr. Lewis Davenport. We do not have the programme, but it seems likely that Lewis Davenport was also on the bill. The event was a benefit concert for Samuel Membry. Around the 1902-1903 period it would appear that Davenport was trying his hand at putting on shows. Once he married Julia in 1904 and their act ‘The Davenports’ was formed, we believe that he gave up this initiative.
The bill includes David Devant. In 2024 research by Ian Keable confirmed that this programme was definitely for the final two weeks at the Concert Hall, Brighton from 13-25 October 1902.
On one side is the rebus and a blank area where the address or name of the recipient can be written. The other side has the show details on it, as well as the answer to the rebus. This means that the card can be folded in half and glued around the perforated edges, prior to posting, so that the recipient can only see the rebus and their own name. To open the card they have to tear off the edge at the perforations, so revealing the details of the show and the answer to the rebus. Have a go at solving the rebus before you click on View Details.
The bill includes David Devant.
These two items were stored together by Maskelynes, with a brass paper fastener attaching them by the top left corner. This explains the holes in the top left corners. The information gives the tour venues and confirms that the show usually spent a week at each venue. The financial summary gives a breakdown of costs for each venue and the average receipts and expenses for the whole tour. The tour usually followed the pre-printed tour dates and venues, but there were exceptions. The images included here show both sides of the Tour List and the single-sided financial summary.
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.
29th consecutive year, 1901-1902. There is more than one copy in the collection. One copy has the hand written date June 1902. The bill includes the sketch ‘The Entranced Fakir’, the first performance of which was on 6 April 1901, according to the book on the Maskelynes at the Egyptian Hall by George Jenness. The date must therefore be no earlier than this. It was in ‘The Entranced Fakir’ that Maskelyne first showed his latest, world beating, levitation. Valadon was also on the bill and Animated Photographs were shown. On this programme Mr. E. Morehen plays the part of Fraser in ‘The Entranced Fakir’.