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Original 1890’s Linen Backed Theatrical Stage Poster Holden's Mannikins

About the Item

Very rare late 19th Century, "The Original Holden's Mannikins", original vintage theatrical Vaudeville play linen backed one-sheet movie poster (one sheet; measures 28" x 42", actual poster size 27" x 41". Early Vaudeville Marionette, Automata and Mannequin poster with vibrant colors, another one can't be found. The playbill poster features vibrant illustrations of Clowns, Skeletons, Royalty, Cowboys, Mimes, Nurses, Fairies... This poster has an address for a theatre in St. Martin Paris, France. From the book; The Holdens: Monarchs of the Marionette Theatre by John McCormick The Holden family were the most celebrated English marionette performers of the nineteenth century. The trajectory of the Holdens provides a vivid example of developments in entertainment across the century. Having begun on the fairgrounds, they moved on to large halls, theatres and music halls. At the height of their popularity, when they had two main companies in operation, the Holdens were even better known abroad than at home. Their name was almost synonymous with puppetry, and they were credited with every innovation in marionette theatre. Then, with the advent of cinema, their business suffered a rapid decline. Based on extensive archival research and lavishly illustrated with photographs, sketches, diagrams, playbills and posters, The Holdens: Monarchs of the Marionette Theatre explains why the Holden shows had such impact and were so frequently imitated. Below are two newspaper reviews from 1903 and 1907. Holdin’s Mannkins Location: New York City Theater: New York Date: 1903 Type: Marionette, Automata and Manikin This is another of Mr. Keith’s acts and it is safe to say that we have never seen marionettes in this country before. The general fitting up of the act is great—had a fine stage with a full set of scenery, and everything is first class order—strongly, and it is hardly possible to conceive how people can produce the effects that they do by the manipulation of strings. Every move made by these little figures is absolutely natural and life-like, and the audience were quick to appreciate this fact and were most hearty in their applause. The act is closed with a transformation feature which was very pretty and attractive. It is an exceptionally strong turn throughout. 24 minutes, full stage. Source: University of Iowa, Keith-Albee Vaudeville Collection, Manager Reports, 2 September 1902-3 September 1903. Holden’s Manikins Location: Philadelphia Theater: Keith's Date: 1907 Type: Marionette, Automata and Manikin 22 min, F.S., 2 shows. On at 8:04. This is a children’s feature. I doubt whether it would be so well received at any other than about Christmas time, but it quite won the house. The manikins performs various simple stunts, such as dancing, Punch and Judy comedy, etc. The finish of the act was a spectacular feature without moving figures, which did not run as smoothly as it should have done. However, the act will certainly please the little folks and it cannot be conceived how the wooden manikins can be manipulated so life-like. Holden got a good hand on his appearance after the act. Source: University of Iowa, Keith-Albee Vaudeville Collection, Manager Reports, 23 September 1907-12 March 1908 Thomas Holden Birth; Dunmow, Essex, England (1847) Death; Wimbledon, London, England (1931) British puppet theatre proporietor and puppeteer. Grandfather, father and brother, all three named John Holden, were also travelling puppeteers. The family toured Britain with their portable theatre, but his elder brother John inherited the business. In the autumn of 1873 Thomas Holden left for America with the Bullock’s Royal Marionettes which he soon left to form a separate group under the management of American entrepreneurs McDonough and Earnshaw, in competition with Bullock. They opened in Philadelphia in March 1874 and moved on to cities further west such as Cincinnati and San Francisco. During 1875 Holden returned to England with his own company, claiming to have toured the United States with unparalleled success. In 1875, Thomas Holden and his Imperial Marionettes enjoyed their first London success with Beauty and the Beast. He then toured northern Europe before returning to London with Jack the Giant Killer. The years 1879 and 1880 were profitable for Holden, performing in Paris and other large French towns. In 1881 he visited Vienna before touring Poland and Romania. During the next two years his company performed in Moscow, Constantinople, Odessa and Saint Petersburg, where he gave fifteen performances for the Russian nobility, two of them commanded by the Tsar and Tsarina. The company travelled back through Germany, Romania, Greece and Italy, then to France, from where he left for South America in 1887. He performed in Argentina, Brazil and, notably, Montevideo, Uruguay. According to the daughter of Thomas Holden, he retired at the age of 40, but it is more likely that he prolonged his career for some years more. He died at the age of 84. Thomas Holden possessed a lively intelligence, and had a gift for publicity, reflected in the colourful and detailed posters for his shows. He performed before most of the crowned heads of Europe and is remembered as a king among string marionettists.

Dimensions:

Height: 42 in (106.68 cm)Width: 28 in (71.12 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.26 mm)

Style:

Victorian (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Linen,Paper

Place of Origin:

England

Period:

Late 19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1880-1890