The Absent Minded Beggar
- Title:
- The Absent Minded Beggar
- Alternate Title:
- The Absent Minded Beggar
- Collection:
- Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection
- Creator:
- The Daily Mail Publishing Co.
- Other Creators:
- Kipling, Rudyard, 1865-1936
Sullivan, Arthur
- Date:
- 1900
- Posted Date:
- 2015-08-25
- ID Number:
- 1139.01
- Collection Number:
- 8548
- File Name:
- PJM_1139_01.jpg
- Style/Period:
- 1900 - 1919
- Subject:
- Imperialism
Politics & Government
Other War & Peace - Measurement:
- 45 x 45 (centimeters, height x width)
- Notes:
- A map of South Africa at the time of the Second Boer War, as a scarf printed on linen, with portraits of Lord Roberts and Queen Victoria, a poem by Rudyard Kipling, and a tune by Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert and).
When the war began in 1899, tens of thousands of British reservists were mobilized. They were forced back into the Army at reduced pay, with no assurance they could return to their jobs and no provision for their families. The Daily Mail organized the Soldiers Family Fund to meet the need and commissioned the poem from Kipling and the song from Sullivan. The tune concludes with a plea to "pass the hat for your credit's sake, and pay, pay, pay!"
"The release of the song coincided with a wave of fervent jingoism sweeping the country . . . and the public response was astonishing. The Daily Chronicle wrote 'It has not been often that the greatest of English writers and the greatest of English musicians have joined inspiring words and stirring melody in a song which expresses the heart felt feelings of the entire nation.'" Curtis 2016, 5. Between performance fees and the sale of sheet music and merchandise such as this scarf, the campaign raised "the astonishing sum of £250,000," the equivalent of $110 million US dollars today. Ibid.
For further information on the Collector’s Notes and a Feedback/Contact Link, see https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/about-collection-personal-statement and https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/feedback-and-contact - Cite As:
- P.J. Mode collection of persuasive cartography, #8548. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
- Repository:
- Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
- Archival Collection:
- P.J. Mode collection of persuasive cartography
- Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- For important information about copyright and use, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/copyright.