Author: MAY, PHIL.
Title: Four Original Pen and Ink Cartoons.
Description: Single sheet (21cm x15cm) four original sketches each signed by Phil May, designs apparently for the play "Hoodman Blind" by Henry Arthur Jones and Wilson Barrett, which played at the Princess's Theatre, London (1885-1886). One of the characters is of Arthur Jones, another of Arthur Roberts lead actor in the play, the others most likely other cast members. London; Phil May; 1884. Phil May 1864-1903 was an English caricaturist who, with his vigorous economy of line, played an important role in moving away from Victorian styles of illustrations towards the creation of the modern humorous cartoon. When he was about seventeen he went to London, after some hard times he obtained employment as designer to a theatrical costumier (the piece here being most likely produced during that employment). In 1886 he went to Australia working for the Sydney Bulletin producing about 800 drawings.

Keywords: Phil May art drawings engravings boo bkp