Toedteberg, Augustus. Balls as three Singles

Folger bibliographic ID: 260851
Folger call number: ART Vol. a28 vol.1 (after p.15)
Folger holdings ID: 344357
Accession Number: cs533

General notes

All the works by Toedteberg that Folger owns are theatrical portraits copied after rare prints. They are either contained in volumes which were grangerized by Toedteberg or are individual items which were purchased from the sale of Toedteberg's collection. Some of the pieces are signed by him but most are unsigned. All of them, however, at one time passed through his hands and many may have been the work of his pen. They have been grouped together in this file for that reason Artist: Work is housed in a volume which was most likely extra illustrated by Toedteberg. The original art work in the volume is copied from theatrical prints, many of which were known to have been in the collection of Toedteberg. A portrait of Charles Mathews in the same volume is signed by Toedteberg and the other original works seem to be executed in the same style. Cataloger credits Toedteberg as artist of all original portraits in this volume though some may have been executed by an assistant (Victor Moblard for example) History: Listed in Harv. cat. of dram. ports. under Ball's entry, no.2 is a process print, described as 3 sketches of Balls as the Singles with a facsimile autograph. The item is noted as a plate to Portraits of actors, published by Toedteberg, 1893. No artist or engraver is given. A similar item is listed as no.401 in the catalog of the Toedteberg collection. These wash drawings were probably copied from a rare print in the collection of the artist, possibly enlarged Provenance: Items are housed in the 1st volume of W.L. Keese's biography of W. E. Burton. The biography was originally published as one volume in 1885, however this copy has been extended to 3 volumes through extra illustration. The set formerly belonged to Augustin Daly and is listed as item no.1864 in the American Art Galleries catalog of the sale of the Augustin Daly collection, held in 1900. The Folgers purchased the work from the sale of the library of James Hampden Robb, item no. 230 in AAG catalog of April 30, 1912 sale Subject: English actor John S. Balls is portrayed in these drawings playing the parts of the three Singles, Pertinax, Peregrin and Percival in Prince Hoare's Three and the deuce. The play was an operatic farce and premiered at the Haymarket 2/9/1795, with music by Stephen Storace. Balls appeared as the Singles at the Chestnut St. Theatre in Philadelphia, January 5 1836, according to a playbill in the same volume. The performance is billed as Mr. Balls last night The art collection of the Folger Shakespeare Library includes many volumes of extra illustrated books, several of which formerly belonged to the library of the theatrical manager Augustin Daly. Many of these extra-illustrated volumes were inlaid and organized by Augustus Toedteberg, a professional inlayer and repairer of prints who resided in Brooklyn, N.Y. in the 1870's to 1890's The known facts concerning Toedteberg are few. He was the grangerizer of the Daly copy of Joseph Norton Ireland's Records of the New York stage (a work extended by him from 2 to 33 volumes) and of Daly's souvenir books of his Shakespearean productions (many of which are now in the Folger collection). Toedteberg also published a work, in 1893, entitled Portraits of actors reproduced from rare originals for Augustus Toedteberg. The Folger Library has a few letters in its ms. collection addressed from Toedteberg to Augustin Daly concerning Toedteberg's grangerizing work. His theatrical collection, which consisted of numerous books, prints, drawings, autographs and playbills, was sold at auction by the Anderson Co., New York, 1903-1904 The volumes which Toedteberg grangerized also contain a number of watercolor portraits, copied after rare prints, which are signed by a Victor Moblard who may have been under the employ of Toedteberg. Moblard's style of painting and writing is rater distinct and even where he has not signed his name it is easy to spot his work, In cases where his signature or initials appear, or where the style gives evidence of his work, the item has been entered under his name. In all cases, where known, a subject entry has been given for the original artist of the print from which Moblard was copying. No biographical information has been located on Moblard. The user is referred to records under Moblard, Victor, for additional works from the Toedteberg shop This record contains unverified data from old cards and may contain incorrect or incomplete text. Please consult Curator for assistance Title taken from penciled note under 3rd item. Each item is a full figure portrait portraying the same actor in a different role. The first is pictured standing, to left, holding a cane in front of him with both hands, The second is also standing, to left with left hand extended and a scarf in right hand. Third portrait is standing to right holding a manicle in left hand and a sword in right. None are signed. Each measures approximately 10 3/4 x 7 1/2 in Toedteberg's collection of theatrical prints was extensive and it is assumed that he drew on this collection as a resource for his grangerizing endeavors. It appears that he was in the habit of copying, in ink or watercolor, rare prints, or having rare prints copied by others, perhaps when he was able to obtain only one copy of the original print

Extended title: Balls as three Singles [Augustus Toedteberg]

Hoare, Prince, 1755-1834. Three and the deuce Actors

artist: Toedteberg, Augustus, 1823 or 1824-1909
former owner: Daly, Augustin, 1838-1899
former owner: Robb, James H., 1846-1912