Toedteberg, Augustus. Charles Melton Walcot

Folger bibliographic ID: 261349
Folger call number: ART Vol. a28 vol.2 (after p.64)
Folger holdings ID: 344879
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 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) Half length portrait, to right, looking front. Unsigned History: Drawing is copied after an etching which is found on the page following the original item. The etching is listed in Harv. cat. of dram. ports. as no. 1 under the entry for Walcot. Harvard notes that the work was etched after a photograph by Brady and gives the engraver as A.B. Folger copy of the engraving has only the title: 'Charles Melton Walcot, Comedian, 1815-1868' Provenance: Item is housed in the 2nd 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. The Folgers purchased the work from the sale of the library of James Hampden Robb, item no. 230 in American Art Galleries catalog of the April 30, 1912 sale 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 rather 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 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: Charles Melton Walcot [Augustus Toedteberg]

Walcot, Charles Melton, 1815-1868 Actors

artist: Toedteberg, Augustus, 1823 or 1824-1909
depiction: Walcot, Charles Melton, 1815-1868
former owner: Daly, Augustin, 1838-1899
former owner: Robb, James Hampden, 1846-1912