ARTICLE BY MW STONE (1934)
The Collector’s
Miscellany
New Series No.8 February-March-April 1934
NOTES ON THE JUVENILE DRAMA
W.
WEST, 1811-1831
W. WEST was one of the earliest of
the various publishers of the Juvenile Drama—if not the earliest of them all—on
which point there is difference of opinion.
(J. K. Greene claims to have been the “inventor” of the Juvenile
Drama). But all authorities are at
least agreed that West produced some of the best sheets that were ever done,
and there is very little doubt that the only other publisher whose work will
compare with West is Hodgson who started soon after West in 1811.
According to John Ashton
(Varia) West published at least 107 different plays between 1811 and 1831 and
in addition a very large number of Theatrical Portraits. I have several sheets of plays which are not
included in the list of 107 given by Ashton in his delightful essay on the
Juvenile Drama, so no one can say how many plays were actually put out by this
most prolific publisher.
In addition to the small size,
West published at least two other larger size sheets, usually containing one “wing”
on the same sheet as a scene.
West carried on his business
originally at 13, Exeter Street, Strand, but later moved to Wych Street,
opposite the Olympic Theatre (long since demolished). Several famous artists worked for him, including Blake and George
Cruikshank, but the initials “G.C.” appearing on many of his sheets are those
of George Childs who appears to have done a lot of work over a number of
years. West’s own signature appears
many times, but I am told he never drew a line in his life.
All this does not really
matter. Whoever did the work it was
beautifully done, both in outline and vigour of design. What a contrast to the wooden clumsy work of
a much later period of the Juvenile Drama.
For twenty years West reproduced in
miniature form many of the most successful plays that were produced at the
principal London Theatres. “As
originally produced at Covent Garden Theatre,” figures on the title sheet of
many of his plays.
West’s colouring too is
splendid, and I have sheets in my possession, well over 100 years old, which
still retain the rich bold colours as if they were done yesterday.
If any reader of this article
should come across any of West’s early sheets I advise him to secure them while
he has the chance. A reasonable price
for the small size sheets is 1/- to 2 /- each.
For the larger sizes 3/- or more would probably be asked. After all they are etchings, and generally
quite beautiful work, and one must forget that about a hundred years ago they
were priced a penny or twopence per sheet
I wonder how many people are
fortunate enough to own a complete play of West’s? I should very much like to see one. And to think that at one time these splendid sheets were so
little prized that thousands were used to wrap up fish in parcels!
M. W.
STONE
Transcript by Justin Gilbert
See his website at "Penny Dreadfuls"