Toedteberg, Augustus. Caroline Chapman

Folger bibliographic ID: 260849
Folger call number: ART Vol. a28 vol.1 (after p.60)
Folger holdings ID: 344355
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 his collection (see below). A portrait of Charles Mathews in the same volume is signed by Toedteberg and the other original works seem to be executed in a similar 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: Harv. cat. of dram. ports. lists a process print of Chapman in the same position. The item is noted as a plate to Portraits of actors, 1893, a work which was published by A. Toedteberg and seems to be a collection of process prints of photos and prints in Toedteberg's collection. A photo which has been colored by hand of Chapman in the same position is listed as item no. 839 in the sale catalog of the Toedteberg collection Provenance: Item is 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 three 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. The Folgers purchased the work from the sale of the library of James Hampden Robb, also held by the American Art Galleries. Item is listed as no. 230 in the catalog of that sale and was purchased on April 30, 1912 Subject: Caroline Chapman was the sister of William Chapman, She made her American acting debut at the Walnut St. Theatre, Philadelphia, in 1830 under the name of Greenwood 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 Three quarter length portrait, seated to left, facing front, right elbow resting on table, hands clasped. Title taken from pencil note below drawing. Item may be watercolor over a photograph. Unsigned 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: Caroline Chapman [Augustus Toedteberg]

Chapman, Caroline, 1818-1876 Actors

artist: Toedteberg, Augustus, 1823 or 1824-1909
depiction: Chapman, Caroline, 1818-1876
former owner: Daly, Augustin, 1838-1899
former owner: Robb, James Hampden, 1846-1912