Unusual Artifacts: Punch and Jack Ketch, the Hangman, 19th C.

The Victoria & Albert Museum

Here’s another hand-colored “magic lantern” glass slide from the set of twelve by Theobald & Co. This one depicts Mr. Punch in jail, being confronted by the hangman, Jack Ketch. It is number eleven in the set.

The following text accompanies the slide during a magic lantern show:

Punch: Oh dear, Mr. Hangman, I didn’t mean to do it, you wouldn’t hurt a poor old man like me. Take that nasty looking thing away, it makes me feel sick. I shan’t enjoy my dinner.

Hangman: Well, Mr. Punch, you deserve to be hanged, but I did hear this morning that the baby is getting better, and you may get off after all, but don’t you never go and do such a thing again. Now off you go quick, here comes the Bogie man.

Object of the Day: A Wonderful Theobald and Co. Magic Lantern Slide

This "Object of the Day" may appear familiar to some of you.  If it does, that's because I've shared it with you before in June of last year.  Next week, I'll be sharing with you a complete set of different antique magic lantern slides depicting Punch and his pals which I received for my birthday last December.  And, then, the following week, I'll be sharing with you a very special slide which was given to me for Christmas.

This week has not been at all what I'd planned, between recovering from the dreadful flu, power outages and work.  And, so, the end of it leaves me a little too shaky in the hands to confidently handle thin pieces of cherished antique glass.

But, next week...you'll see some really cool slides.  In the meantime, let's revisit how my family preserves such antique magic lantern slides.

This image from the V&A shows the same slide that I acquired for my collection.

Regular readers know of my fascination with a particular set of artifacts at the V&A—a set of glass magic lantern slides made in the late Nineteenth Century by Theobald & Company which depict scenes from the Punch & Judy tradition. I adore these slides! A few months ago, I had an opportunity to purchase a complete set and missed out on it. I’m still kicking myself over it. Recently, my mom and dad gave me one from the set which they found online—along with three other assorted magic lantern slides. The slide that they found is the one featuring Mr. Punch’s meeting with Joey the Clown. It’s really quite adorable. The image above is the same slide from the V&A. I’ve shared this image since it’s nearly impossible to take a good picture of a glass slide without a professional set-up.

So, now I had the slide. But, what to do with it? How could we show it off in the best way? Well, my father devised a plan to build a lightbox into which the slide would fit. A nightlight bulb from within would illuminate the slide. I had no idea how he’s go about this, but he’s much smarter about these things than I, so I trusted him. And, he did an excellent job! He had the idea to make the box in the image of a traditional Punch & Judy fit-up. So, I selected suitable colors and, then, I went about painting it for him. Here’s the finished result. I’m quite pleased with it! It sits on a dusty turquoise base and little gold feet, and Mr. Punch and Joey just glow happily into the night. 

Forgive the blown-out pictures.  When you're trying to take a picture of something that lights up, it's rather difficult.

The text which would have accompanied this slide originally read:

Hullo! here’s my friend the clown. What cheer, Joey, what a mouth you have got to be sure. Don’t open it any wider, or I might fall down and hurt myself. 

Joey: Oh, Mr. Punch, you’re in for it. They say you’ve killed your baby. I saw the beadle coming down the street. 

Punch: Oh dear, oh dear, whatever shall I do. I say, Joey, you go and tell him I’m not at home, say I’m ill, say I’m busy, say anything, but keep him off.

Now…I need the other eleven.

Object of the Day: A Set Theobald & Co. Punch & Judy Magic Lantern Slides

Click image for larger size.

Click image for larger size.

Click image for larger size.

Though they were one of Britain’s major manufacturers of Magic Lantern slides in the late Nineteenth Century, it’s very difficult to find information on Theobald & Co. In fact, most internet searches on the subject lead you right here to this site since I’ve spent a great deal of time writing about them. That happens here quite a lot. I’ll look for something and end up with an article that I wrote on the subject. That’s not helpful. I already know what I know. Errrr…something like that.

I’m not sure what else there could be to learn about the Magic Lantern manufacturer which started out as the J. Theobald & Co. I managed to find their 1890 catalog which is filled with over a dozen series of slides about then-current events, biblical themes and fairy tales.

The company first came to my attention because of the (incomplete) set of Theobald & Co. Magic Lantern Slides which were added to the George Speaight Punch & Judy Archive at the V&A. Of course, you’ve seen those over the last few weeks and regular readers know of my quest to collect the complete set of twelve, hand-colored slides depicting the traditional antics of Mr. Punch. I first added the slide of Mr. Punch’s introduction to Joey the Clown to my collection.

And, then…then…there were these.

Now, these slides, dating the about 1900, are not the larger, single Magic Lantern slides, instead, these scenes are presented on longer, narrow glass strips which were used for smaller Magic Lanterns. These smaller, hand-colored slides, as opposed to the larger ones which were inserted one at a time, were moved in front of the lens on a metal clip. You can see where the black paint (designed to block the light so that it only shone through the roundel with the scene) has scraped off from being slid back and forth in the holder.

This is almost the complete set. Almost.

We see here…

1. Only a fragment of the first scene remains. Sadly, the glass strip snapped long ago. Now that I think about it, I’ve NEVER seen the first slide. The larger set at the V&A doesn’t have one either. I suspect, however, that it was a title slide—showing the Punch and Judy Man and the bottler in front of the fit-up.

2. Mr. Punch and Judy dance a little jig.

3. Mr. Punch meets Dog Toby.

4. Dog Toby bites Mr. Punch’s “beautiful” nose.

5. Mr. Punch and his servant, Jim Crow, dance.

6. After a fall from a horse, Punch goes to the doctor and tells the medic that he’s dead.

7. Missing. However, this should be Mr. Punch with Judy and the Baby

8. Missing. This should be Mr. Punch getting back on the horse.

9. Missing. This would be Punch meeting Joey the Clown.

10. Mr. Punch and the Beadle

11. Mr. Punch in Jail with Jack Ketch the Hangman (“Please don’t hang me.”)

12. After defeating everyone, Mr. Punch bids us “Good night.”

Object of the Day: A Wonderful Theobald and Co. Magic Lantern Slide

This image from the V&A shows the same slide that I acquired for my collection.

Regular readers know of my fascination with a particular set of artifacts at the V&A—a set of glass magic lantern slides made in the late Nineteenth Century by Theobald & Company which depict scenes from the Punch & Judy tradition. I adore these slides! A few months ago, I had an opportunity to purchase a complete set and missed out on it. I’m still kicking myself over it. Recently, my mom and dad gave me one from the set which they found online—along with three other assorted magic lantern slides. The slide that they found is the one featuring Mr. Punch’s meeting with Joey the Clown. It’s really quite adorable. The image above is the same slide from the V&A. I’ve shared this image since it’s nearly impossible to take a good picture of a glass slide without a professional set-up.

So, now I had the slide. But, what to do with it? How could we show it off in the best way? Well, my father devised a plan to build a lightbox into which the slide would fit. A nightlight bulb from within would illuminate the slide. I had no idea how he’s go about this, but he’s much smarter about these things than I, so I trusted him. And, he did an excellent job! He had the idea to make the box in the image of a traditional Punch & Judy fit-up. So, I selected suitable colors and, then, I went about painting it for him. Here’s the finished result. I’m quite pleased with it! It sits on a dusty turquoise base and little gold feet, and Mr. Punch and Joey just glow happily into the night. 

Forgive the blown-out pictures.  When you're trying to take a picture of something that lights up, it's rather difficult.

The text which would have accompanied this slide originally read:

Hullo! here’s my friend the clown. What cheer, Joey, what a mouth you have got to be sure. Don’t open it any wider, or I might fall down and hurt myself. 

Joey: Oh, Mr. Punch, you’re in for it. They say you’ve killed your baby. I saw the beadle coming down the street. 

Punch: Oh dear, oh dear, whatever shall I do. I say, Joey, you go and tell him I’m not at home, say I’m ill, say I’m busy, say anything, but keep him off.

Now…I need the other eleven.

Unusual Artifacts: Another Glass Magic Lantern Slide

Magic Lantern Slide by Theobald & Co.
Hand-painted glass.
Nineteenth Century
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Number eight of the set of twelve Theobald & Co. Magic Lantern slides at the V&A, this hand-painted glass slide depicts our Mr. Punch attempting to ride a donkey.  It’s this awkward ride which leads to a terrible fall and Mr. Punch’s traditional declaration of “Oh, dear!  Oh, dear!  I’m dead.  I’m sure of it.”  Even after the doctor tells him that he’s not dead, Mr. Punch cannot be convinced.

The following text accompanies the slide during a magic lantern show:

Punch: Oh dear, oh dear, I do hope I haven’t hurt it. I thought the nurse was down below. Heigh, ho! what shall I do? I know, I’ll get on my moke and go for a ride. Gee up, Neddie, now don’t be a donkey, on you go. What! you will kick will you, don’t kick up a row anyhow, old chap. Let’s be friends. Don’t you understand? Your ears are long enough. Give poor old Punch a proper ride, you rascal, or I’ll sell you off cheap.

Unusual Artifacts: A Magic Lantern Slide of Punch and the Doctor

Punch and the Doctor
Glass Magic Lantern Slide
Theobald & Co., Nineteenth Century
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Number six of twelve in the series of hand-colored glass Magic Lanterns slides by Theobald & Co. depicting Mr. Punch in scenes from his famous puppet show.  Here, we see Punch being examined by the doctor.

The following text accompanies the slide during a magic lantern show:

Punch: Oh dear, I been thrown off my donkey. What an ass he is. I believe I’m killed. Doctor, dear doctor, feel my pulse; try to save me for dear old Judy’s sake. What, nothing the matter with me? Don’t gammon me, I know I must be killed, I feel like it.

Unusual Artifacts: "I Don't Want a Nose Warmer" Magic Lantern Slide

Glass Magic Lantern Slide
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Ah, here’s another of the set of twelve magic lantern slides depicting Mr. Punch which were made by Theobald & Co. in the late Nineteenth Century.  This hand colored glass slide depicts the Dog Toby with Mr. Punch.  It is number four of twelve.

Here, Toby is biting Mr. Punch's nose.  Why?  Well, because it’s a long-standing part of the show.  But, also because Mr. Punch has just suggested that his canine friend might want to wear a muzzle—an idea which is met with disapproval from Toby.

The following text accompanies the slide during a magic lantern show:

Punch: Oh Toby, Toby! you’ve got 'old of my nose. I don’t want a nose warmer. Oh leave me, you’re hurting me. Toby, Toby! good dog, I didn’t mean it, it was the nasty policeman told me you would like it.


This slide immediately follows Punch's first encounter with Toby, his neighbor Scaramouche's Dog, which is depicted in the third slide in the series.  In the traditional narrative, Mr. Punch and Toby develop a close friendship and Punch takes Toby to be his own canine companion.

The third slide.

Unusual Artifacts: Punch and the Beadle

Punch and the Beadle
Magic Lantern Slide, 19th C.
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Number ten of the set of twelve glass, Punch and Judy-themed magic lantern slides by Theobald & Co. in the V&A’s George Speaight Archive, this hand-colored slide depicts Mr. Punch and the Beadle (the policeman).   

The following text accompanies the slide during a magic lantern show:

Beadle: Now, Mr. Punch, you just come along of me. I’m going to lock you up for throwing your baby out of window.

Punch: Lock me up? No you wont! I wont be locked up! Here take this tuppence and be off.

Beadle: Now look here Mr. Punch, none of that. You just come along with me quietly, or I shall make you feel my staff. If you don’t come without trouble I shall strike you.

Punch: And you just see my stick. If you don’t go I shall strike you. Take that, and that.

Beadle: Help, help, he’s striking me. Come on you ruffian, you bad wicked old man, off you come to prison.

Unusual Artifacts: A Slide of Punch and Joey the Clown

Magic Lantern Slide
Theobald & Co., Nineteenth Century
The George Speaight Punch & Judy Archive
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Here’s another hand-colored glass Magic Lantern slide, number nine of a set of twelve, by Theobald & Co. depicting Mr. Punch and Joey the Clown.



The following text accompanies the slide during a magic lantern show:

Hullo! here’s my friend the clown. What cheer, Joey, what a mouth you have got to be sure. Don’t open it any wider, or I might fall down and hurt myself.

Joey: Oh, Mr. Punch, you’re in for it. They say you’ve killed your baby. I saw the beadle coming down the street.

Punch: Oh dear, oh dear, whatever shall I do. I say, Joey, you go and tell him I’m not at home, say I’m ill, say I’m busy, say anything, but keep him off.

The set was made in England in the late Nineteenth Century.

Unusual Artifacts: Punch and Jack Ketch, the Hangman, 19th C.

The Victoria & Albert Museum

Here’s another hand-colored “magic lantern” glass slide from the set of twelve by Theobald & Co.  This one depicts Mr. Punch in jail, being confronted by the hangman, Jack Ketch.  It is number eleven in the set. 

The following text accompanies the slide during a magic lantern show:

Punch: Oh dear, Mr. Hangman, I didn’t mean to do it, you wouldn’t hurt a poor old man like me. Take that nasty looking thing away, it makes me feel sick. I shan’t enjoy my dinner.

Hangman: Well, Mr. Punch, you deserve to be hanged, but I did hear this morning that the baby is getting better, and you may get off after all, but don’t you never go and do such a thing again. Now off you go quick, here comes the Bogie man.

Unusual Artifacts: A Magic Lantern Slide of Punch and Toby

The Victoria & Albert Museum

Here’s another Nineteenth Century glass magic lantern slide of Mr. Punch from the set of twelve by Theobald & Co. that’s housed in the V&A.   This one depicts Mr Punch and the Dog Toby, and is number three of twelve.

The following text accompanies the slide during a magic lantern show:

Punch: Toby, Toby! where are you? Rats my boy at them.
Toby: Bow wow wow.
Punch: That’s a good Toby. Got a clean new collar on too, just home from the wash. Good old Toby. Look here what I’ve brought you, a nice nose warmer for the winter. [Punch produces a muzzle.]

Mr. Punch in the Arts: Good Night, Mr. Punch

The Victoria & Albert Museum

From the George Speaight Punch & Judy Archive, we have another hand-painted glass magic lantern slide that is the final slide of the set of 12 housed in the Victoria & Albert Museum. The slide was made in London at the end of the Nineteenth Century by Theobald & Co.

This is my favorite of the lot! I adore it! It proves to me that Punch takes his slapstick to bed.



The following text accompanies the slide during a magic lantern show:

Punch: I’m not such a bad old man as they make out. Don’t you believe it. I didn’t mean to hurt my dear darling baby, it was all a mistake; and I will be extra kind to dear old Judy, and dear old Toby shall have a penny ice all to himself, and my dear old donkey what a feed he shall have, and what a happy family we’ll all be for the future. Good night, my dears, good night. Don’t forget poor old Punch.

I LOVE THIS!

Mr. Punch in the Arts: Theobald & Co. Slide

Don't you just love this? I recently saw a similar Victorian slide online, but forgot to purchase it before it was too late. This hand-colored glass slide depicts Mr Punch, Judy and the baby. It is number seven of a set of twelve which is, of course, part of the George Speaight Archive.


The following text accompanies the slide during a magic lantern show:

Punch: And how is the dear baby, Judy? Isn’t it like me? Pretty little dear. Popsey darling. Oh, take it away, it’s got hold of my nose. Oh my poor nose! Judy will you take it away? You wont, then I’ll throw it out of window. [Punch throws poor baby out of window.]


Judy: Oh, you cruel monster. I’ll have you locked up. My poor darling precious baby. I’ll call a policeman.