["The Ray" Newspaper, Boston Theatre, "Rip Van Winkle"]
Date
1875-05-12
Production
Rip Van Winkle
Character roles
Joseph Jefferson (Rip Van Winkle)
Artistic roles
Joseph Jefferson (Actor); Mrs. S. A. Moody (Inventor); Dion Boucicault (Playwright)
Genre
Melodrama
Theme
One-Role Wonders
Places
Boston (Mass.)
Item description
"The Ray" newspaper, dated 12 May 1875, a publication of the Boston Theatre. This newspaper is printed on one large sheet of thin paper and folded in half to be four pages long. The cover page advertises that evening's performance of "Rip Van Winkle" starring Joseph Jefferson, listing the entire cast. The rest of the newspaper is filled with advertising, anecdotes, and jokes, as well as a listing of the "Splendid Dramatic Company" of L. R. Shewell, then the stock company of the Boston Theatre. Advertisers include Cushman & Brooks, Sage's Trunk Depot, J. E. Ewing & Co., Choate's Odonto, M. M. Merrill, Page & Bailey's Pure Candies, Florence Sewing Machines, Herring's Safes, and Bacon's Oyster House, among others.
Object narrative
Joseph Jefferson (1829-1905) was a beloved nineteenth century comedic actor best known for his role of Rip Van Winkle, which he played for over forty years. Born on February 20, 1829, into a theatrical family, Jefferson had a talent for performing and started his stage career early. Jefferson first encountered the role of Rip Van Winkle when his brother, Charles Burke, played it in 1850. Fifteen years later, Jefferson submitted the play to Irish playwright Dion Boucicault to adapt for him and, almost immediately, it became his starring vehicle. "The Ray" was a newspaper and program combination format used by the Boston Theatre in the 1870s. This issue is numbered Volume 4, No. 207, dated 12 May 1875, and is the program for that day's performance of Joseph Jefferson in Rip Van Winkle. In addition to the cast information on the front page of the brochure, there are numerous advertisements, interesting anecdotes, and jokes which take up the rest of the four page publication.
One story involves General William Tecumseh Sherman helping to name a new brand of bread. Another advertisement offers a reward to anyone who catches any person selling the Moody Abdominal Corset. The Moody Abdominal Corset was invented and patented by Mrs. S. A. Moody in New York City and was at this time being infringed upon by other manufacturers. There were many lawsuits involving patent infringement and theft being tried in the highest courts, and Mrs. Moody successfully defended her patent in all of these cases, according to the New York Medical Eclectic Volume VII. One of the most high profile suits was against a large manufacturer in Boston that took years to resolve, once again in Mrs. Moody's favor. The Moody Abdominal Corset was touted to provide abdominal support while relieving pressure on the pelvic organs. The medical establishment raved about the corset and over a million women had purchased one because of its comfortable, adjustable design. The only licensed selling agent of this corset in Boston was M. M. Merrill, who placed the ad.
Type
Text
Original format
Newspapers
Original publisher
[Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified]
Language
en
Contributing institution
Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries
Source collection
MSS255 Robert C. Hansen Performing Arts Collection
Series/grouping
1.1.1.5: Programs -- Theatre Programs -- United States Theatre Programs -- Other US; 1.1.1.5: Programs -- Theatre Programs -- United States Theatre Programs -- Other US;
[Identification of item], Robert C. Hansen Performing Arts Collection, 1753-2006 (MSS255), Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives and Manuscripts, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, USA.
NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES. This item has been determined to be free of copyright restrictions in the United States. The user is responsible for determing actual copyright status for any reuse of the material.
Object ID
MSS255.O.011
Digital publisher
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, PO Box 26170, Greensboro NC 27402-6170, 336.334.5304
[Identification of item], Robert C. Hansen Performing Arts Collection, 1753-2006 (MSS255), Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives and Manuscripts, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, USA.
