Waltz of Judy [J. BRANDARD-PUNCH, c.1843]

Waltz of Judy

“Valse de Judy”. The cover for the music score of the Waltz of Judy. This is part of ‘2nd set of quadrilles de Punch’. The title page shows the hook-nosed Judy in a rocking chair, holding a baby.

Colour and crayon style lithograph on wove paper.
Sheet size: 23,5 x 33,5 cm. Image size: 20,2 x 31 cm.
Source unknown, to be determined.

Made by J. Brandard after an anonymous artist. John Brandard (1812-1863) was an English lithographer from Birmingham, mostly known for his tasteful covers of musical sheets.

Condition: Good, given age. Trimmed. Light soiling. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

Keywords: MUSIC SHEET COVER-PUNCH

Background

Punch and Judy is a traditional and usually violent puppet show. It features Pulcinella (Mr. Punch) and his wife Judy. The performance consists of a sequence of short scenes, each depicting an interaction between two characters, most typically Mr. Punch and one other character who usually falls victim to Punch’s club. It is often associated with traditional British culture. The various episodes of Punch comedy — often provoking shocked laughter — are dominated by the clowning of Mr. Punch.

The show is performed by a single puppeteer inside the booth, known since Victorian times as a “professor” or “punchman”, and assisted sometimes by a “bottler” who corrals the audience outside the booth, introduces the performance, and collects the money (“the bottle”). The bottler might also play accompanying music or sound effects on a drum or guitar, and engage in back chat with the puppets, sometimes repeating lines that may have been difficult for the audience to understand. In Victorian times, the drum and pan pipes are the instruments of choice. Today, the audience is encouraged to participate, calling out to the characters on the stage to warn them of danger or clue them in to what is going on behind their backs. (Source: Wikipedia).

PCO-E5-15