Probably in the period between 10 October 1892 and just before Christmas. According to the book by George Jenness on the Egyptian Hall, Douglas Beaufort was first at the Hall on 10 October 1892 and finished just before Christmas.
Mr. H. Verne
Maskelyne and Cooke’s twentieth consecutive year at the Egyptian Hall was 1892-1893. According to the book by George Jenness on the Egyptian Hall, Louis Duprez and his trio of Canine Conjurors was new to the Hall on 19 December 1892. Jeness also said that just before Christmas 1892 Douglas Beaufort finished, but the dogs remained on the holiday programme, which also included Arcana, Proper-ganders and Mr. H. Verne. The earliest date for this programme would therefore be just before Christmas 1892.
Based on the information in the book by George Jenness on the Egyptian Hall, it looks as though the date of this programme is sometime on tour in October – mid-December 1886.
The bill includes ‘Arcana’ which was first produced on 5 November 1887, according to Jenness. ‘Arcana’ continued for at least 8 months into 1888. The likely programme date is therefore 5 November 1887 to some point during 1888.
The date is unclear, but the bill is consistent with the evening performances in May 1886, according to Jenness.
3 December 1885 is the date written on the cover. This is probably correct.
This is probably an 1886 performance with Charles Bertram. Bertram’s first appearance at the hall was, according to Jenness, 17 December 1885.
The date written on the cover is 1884. This date must be incorrect because it was not until 7 August 1886 that Bertram presented the Vanishing Lady illusion, standing in for de Kolta. J.N. Maskelyne is on this bill so it is probably safe to assume that the date must be before 25 September, the date at which the Maskelyne and Cooke season ended because of the start of a provincial tour. Jenness reports that the Hall shut between 20 November and 23 December 1886, from which time de Kolta was on the bill. Since he is not on this bill, the date of the programme is probably between 7 August and 25 September. The programme has a sticker at the top. Note the incorrect spelling of Maskelyne.
The bill includes ‘Arcana’ which was first produced on 5 November 1887, according to Jenness, and ‘Cleopatra’s Needle’ which was revived in December 1887. This programme is therefore probably for the Christmas season 1887. The Christmas season often extended well into the following year.
The bill includes ‘Arcana’ which was first produced on 5 November 1887, according to Jenness, and ‘Cleopatra’s Needle’ which was revived in December 1887. This programme is therefore probably for the Christmas season 1887. The Christmas season often extended well into the following year.