Extremely scarce Boer War souvenir of The Absent-Minded Beggar: Silk Souvenir Booklet 1899 - 1900

Printed in green ink, with a portrait of Kipling on the cover in brown ink. Ca. 1899. 5pp., folio (20 X 30.5 cm). "Presented by Mrs. Langtry (Lillie Langtry was the former mistress of the soon to be King Edward VII) on the occasion of the 100th performance of the 'Degenerates' at the Garrick Theatre.

For permission to use Kipling's poem, Mrs Langtry made to the 'Daily Mail' a contribution of 100 Pounds for the benefit of the wives and children of the reservists fighting in South Africa." Copyright of the Daily Mail Publishing Co. A little browned and creased, with minor staining, but otherwise in excellent original condition for age.

The booklet contains all four verses of the poem in a facsimile of Kipling's handwriting, and with a facsimile of his signature at the end. There is also a large picture of a soldier in the pose of the 'Absented Minded Beggar', shown looking to the right, holding a bayonet and with his helmet on the ground next to his feet, entitled "A gentleman in Kharki," by R. Caton Woodville, dated 1899.

The song represents the only collaboration between Sullivan and Kipling, in a fund-raising effort for Boer War relief. The song was printed in several formats, of which the present is perhaps the most attractive and unusual.

This item is very scarce and does not even feature in the extensive collection of Pieter Oosthuizen as documented in his wonderful and comprehensive book 'Boer War Memorabilia - A collector's guide'

Code: 56241