O rare show

Hollstein, F.W.H. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings, and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700: after Egbert van Heemskerck 20
Folger bibliographic ID: 265348
Folger call number: ART 267- 038
Folger holdings ID: 350997
Accession Number: 267038

A showman, with long hair and wearing a hat, displays an open hinged cabinet, revealing a series of scenes in panels. On the viewer's right, a group of six children, 4 girls and 2 boys, observe the show

General notes

Title from item An earlier state lists "I. Beckett ex." This print is traditionally said to be a portrait of James 'Jemmy' Laroche (ca. 1688-1710?) who was famous on the London stage in 1695 at age 7, and the showman is identified as such in a copy published by Sutton Nicholls, ca. 1713. This identification can be discredited, however, since the print was first published by Isaac Beckett who died in 1688, at about the time of Laroche's birth

Item information about Folger ART 267- 038

Trimmed to plate mark and inlaid in larger sheet of paper Added to the collection in honor of Carol Brobeck, from her colleagues at the Folger Shakespeare Library, November 2015

Extended title: O rare show HKerk pinx. ; I. Smith ex

Entertainers Peepshows Children

artist: Heemskerck, Egbert van, 1634 or 1635-1704
publisher: Smith, J. (John), 1652-1743