1B [Poster for W.C. Hardy's production of Hamlet, London, 1894]
Four-color stencil and hand-painting on grey-brown wrapping paper: pale grey, buff, brown and black. Denham: William Nicholson and James Pryde (The Beggarstaff Brothers), published Aug 1894. Signed lower left: J. W. Beggarstaff. Denham Uxbridge. 29 7/8 " w. x 70 7/8 " h. (76,0 cm w. x 180,0 cm h.)
Variation of Hamlet poster (1A), with headline type at top. This poster was exhibited for the first time in a poster Exhibition at the Royal Aquarium in London, 1895. Organized by poster collectors and printers Edward Bella and G. de Malherbe, posters and unpublished designs were offered for sale. Accordingly, the Beggarstaffs entered four speculative designs (none of which presumably sold). Copies of their Hamlet poster were sold at 5 shillings each.
References: Bella-1 6, Brinckmann 130, Henriot 1353, Sponsel p. 167, Spielmann 268, Hillier p. 109, DFP 13, Campbell 1B.
Collections: Graphics and Posters, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, Germany.