Drawing of the Day: George Cooke's Vesta Victoria, 1904

Vesta Victoria
November, 1904
George Cooke
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Regular readers of this site are familiar with Music Hall star Vesta Victoria’s work. The singer and performer was born in Leeds in 1874, and joined her famous father on stage at an early age. Vesta’s father was known as “The Upside-Down Comedian” because he sang songs while standing on his head.

Vesta’s first independent success was in 1893 with her hit song, “Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me a Bow Wow.” She soon became a star both in the U.K. and the U.S. and had a repertoire of popular songs which included “Waiting at the Church.”

Regular readers also know the caricature work of George Cooke whose albums of drawings of famous Edwardian Music Hall stars are preserved in the V&A. This one depicts Vesta Victoria as she looked while performing at Collins’ Hippodrome, Stoke-on-Trent, during the week of November 7, 1904. During this period she was was billed as “England’s Brightest and Best Comedienne.”

The work of pen, ink and wash on pink paper depicts Vesta Victoria wearing a white hat with blue and red striped band, a blue jacket with white collar and gloves. She holds a parasol in her right hand.

Drawing of the Day: George Cooke's Vesta Victoria, 1904

Vesta Victoria
November, 1904
George Cooke
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Regular readers of this site are familiar with Music Hall star Vesta Victoria’s work. The singer and performer was born in Leeds in 1874, and joined her famous father on stage at an early age. Vesta’s father was known as “The Upside-Down Comedian” because he sang songs while standing on his head.

Vesta’s first independent success was in 1893 with her hit song, “Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me a Bow Wow.” She soon became a star both in the U.K. and the U.S. and had a repertoire of popular songs which included “Waiting at the Church.”

Regular readers also know the caricature work of George Cooke whose albums of drawings of famous Edwardian Music Hall stars are preserved in the V&A. This one depicts Vesta Victoria as she looked while performing at Collins’ Hippodrome, Stoke-on-Trent, during the week of November 7, 1904. During this period she was was billed as “England’s Brightest and Best Comedienne.”

The work of pen, ink and wash on pink paper depicts Vesta Victoria wearing a white hat with blue and red striped band, a blue jacket with white collar and gloves. She holds a parasol in her right hand.

At the Music Hall: Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me a Bow Wow, 1892

Vesta Victoria

I love my little cat, I do
With soft black silky hair
It comes with me each day to school
And sits upon the chair
When teacher says "why do you bring
That little pet of yours?"
I tell her that I bring my cat
Along with me because

Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!
Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!
I've got a little cat
And I'm very fond of that
But I'd rather have a bow-wow
Wow, wow, wow, wow

Written in 1892 by celebrated songwriter, Joseph Tabrar, Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me a Bow Wow was penned specifically for music hall singer Vesta Victoria. With her comic delivery and deadpan style, the song made Vesta Victoria a tremendous star who soon became the highest paid performer in vaudeville.

The song made its debut in The Unites States in 1895 as recorded by Silas Leachman. Painter Toulouse-Lautrec’s portrait of May Belfort depicts the actress performing this song. It also was featured in the 1934 film Evergreen as sung by Jessie Matthews. Ever-popular, the tune even popped up in 1980, sung by Helen Mirren and Peter Sellers in the film The Evil Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu.

At the Music Hall: Now I Have to Call Him Father

I used to be as 'appy as the pigeons on the trees 
That's when I was courtin' and me mind was well at ease
I used to feel so loving with me 'Enery by me side
Looking forward to the day when I should be his Bride
But now he's thrown me over and I'm full of misery
Someone else has done me out of William 'Enery


He used to come and court his little Mary Anne
I used to think that he was my young man
But Mother caught his eye and they got married on the sly
Now I 'ave to call him Father


He used to call me 'Dreamy Eyes' and take me on his knee
Kiss me little ruby lips and make a fuss of me
He bought a second-handed home to comfort me through life
Now he's thrown me over for a second-handed wife
And on the Weddin' Day when he was married to Mama
He said, "Go and wash your face, and kiss your new Papa"


When I got home this afternoon, it broke my 'art to see
William cuddlin' Mother as he used to cuddle me
At ten o'clock last night I felt I'd like to punch his head
When he said to me, "Pop off, it's time to go to bed"
The next young man I get, I'll let him see me to the door
But I'll never introduce one to me Mother anymore


He used to come and court his little Mary Anne
I used to think that he was my young man
But Mother caught his eye and they got married on the sly
Now I 'ave to call him Father

This rather tragic, yet comic, song by Charles Collins and Fred Godfrey was popularized by Vesta Victoria and, later, Ada Jones in 1908. It recounts the sad tale of a young Cockney woman whose lover was stolen by her own mother. It was the Edwardian precursor to the late, lamented Pine Valley, I suppose.

Enjoy this version by Vesta Victoria.  As the story goes Fred Godfrey wagered with a rival to see who would first sell a song to Music Hall star Vesta Victoria.  They tossed a coin.   Fred won, and this was the song he offered to her. Thankfully for Godfrey, it became one of her greatest, most enduring, hits, although she did not record it until 1911.

At the Music Hall: Now I Have to Call Him Father

I used to be as 'appy as the pigeons on the trees
That's when I was courtin' and me mind was well at ease
I used to feel so loving with me 'Enery by me side
Looking forward to the day when I should be his Bride
But now he's thrown me over and I'm full of misery
Someone else has done me out of William 'Enery


He used to come and court his little Mary Anne
I used to think that he was my young man
But Mother caught his eye and they got married on the sly
Now I 'ave to call him Father


He used to call me 'Dreamy Eyes' and take me on his knee
Kiss me little ruby lips and make a fuss of me
He bought a second-handed home to comfort me through life
Now he's thrown me over for a second-handed wife
And on the Weddin' Day when he was married to Mama
He said, "Go and wash your face, and kiss your new Papa"


When I got home this afternoon, it broke my 'art to see
William cuddlin' Mother as he used to cuddle me
At ten o'clock last night I felt I'd like to punch his head
When he said to me, "Pop off, it's time to go to bed"
The next young man I get, I'll let him see me to the door
But I'll never introduce one to me Mother anymore


He used to come and court his little Mary Anne
I used to think that he was my young man
But Mother caught his eye and they got married on the sly
Now I 'ave to call him Father

This rather tragic, yet comic, song by Charles Collins and Fred Godfrey was popularized by Vesta Victoria and, later, Ada Jones in 1908. It recounts the sad tale of a young Cockney woman whose lover was stolen by her own mother. It was the Edwardian precursor to the late, lamented Pine Valley, I suppose.

Enjoy this version by Vesta Victoria.  As the story goes Fred Godfrey wagered with a rival to see who would first sell a song to Music Hall star Vesta Victoria.  They tossed a coin.   Fred won, and this was the song he offered to her. Thankfully for Godfrey, it became one of her greatest, most enduring, hits, although she did not record it until 1911.

At the Music Hall: Waiting at the Church

I'm in a nice bit of trouble, I confess;
Somebody with me has had a game.
I should by now be a proud and happy bride,
But I've still got to keep my single name.
I was proposed to by Obadiah Binks
In a very gentlemanly way;
Lent him all my money so that he could buy a home,
And punctually at twelve o'clock to-day-

There was I, waiting at the church,
Waiting at the church,
Waiting at the church;
When I found he'd left me in the lurch,
Lor, how it did upset me!
All at once, he sent me round a note
Here's the very note,
This is what he wrote:
"Can't get away to marry you today,
My wife, won't let me!"

Lor, what a fuss Obadiah made of me
When he used to take me in the park!
He used to squeeze me till I was black and blue,
When he kissed me he used to leave a mark.
Each time he met me he treated me to port,
Took me now and then to see the play;
Understand me rightly, when I say he treated me,
It wasn't him but me that used to pay.

There was I, waiting at the church,
Waiting at the church,
Waiting at the church;
When I found he'd left me in the lurch,
Lor, how it did upset me!
All at once, he sent me round a note
Here's the very note,
This is what he wrote:
"Can't get away to marry you today,
My wife, won't let me!"

Just think how disappointed I must feel,
I'll be off me crumpet very soon.
I've lost my husband, the one I never had!
And I dreamed so about the honeymoon.
I'm looking out for another Obadiah,
I've already bought the wedding ring,
There's all my little fal-de-riddles packed up in my box
Yes, absolutely two of ev'rything.

There was I, waiting at the church,
Waiting at the church,
Waiting at the church;
When I found he'd left me in the lurch,
Lor, how it did upset me!
All at once, he sent me round a note
Here's the very note,
This is what he wrote:
"Can't get away to marry you today,
My wife, won't let me!"



This comic song of a jilted bride was made famous on Music Hall boards by Vesta Victoria (1873-1951), the celebrated music hall singer and comedienne. Miss Victoria, who began her career as a child with her father, performed by affecting a Cockney persona. By, 18982, Miss Victoria was a sensation with her first hit son, “Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow Wow.”

Her deadpan style and tremendous singing voice made Vesta Victoria very popular in both Britain and in the U.S., and by 1907, upon going to America, she was the highest paid performer in Vaudeville.

At the Music Hall: Waiting at the Church

I'm in a nice bit of trouble, I confess;
Somebody with me has had a game.
I should by now be a proud and happy bride,
But I've still got to keep my single name.
I was proposed to by Obadiah Binks
In a very gentlemanly way;
Lent him all my money so that he could buy a home,
And punctually at twelve o'clock to-day-

There was I, waiting at the church,
Waiting at the church,
Waiting at the church;
When I found he'd left me in the lurch,
Lor, how it did upset me!
All at once, he sent me round a note
Here's the very note,
This is what he wrote:
"Can't get away to marry you today,
My wife, won't let me!"

Lor, what a fuss Obadiah made of me
When he used to take me in the park!
He used to squeeze me till I was black and blue,
When he kissed me he used to leave a mark.
Each time he met me he treated me to port,
Took me now and then to see the play;
Understand me rightly, when I say he treated me,
It wasn't him but me that used to pay.

There was I, waiting at the church,
Waiting at the church,
Waiting at the church;
When I found he'd left me in the lurch,
Lor, how it did upset me!
All at once, he sent me round a note
Here's the very note,
This is what he wrote:
"Can't get away to marry you today,
My wife, won't let me!"

Just think how disappointed I must feel,
I'll be off me crumpet very soon.
I've lost my husband, the one I never had!
And I dreamed so about the honeymoon.
I'm looking out for another Obadiah,
I've already bought the wedding ring,
There's all my little fal-de-riddles packed up in my box
Yes, absolutely two of ev'rything.

There was I, waiting at the church,
Waiting at the church,
Waiting at the church;
When I found he'd left me in the lurch,
Lor, how it did upset me!
All at once, he sent me round a note
Here's the very note,
This is what he wrote:
"Can't get away to marry you today,
My wife, won't let me!" 



This comic song of a jilted bride was made famous on Music Hall boards by Vesta Victoria (1873-1951), the celebrated music hall singer and comedienne. Miss Victoria, who began her career as a child with her father, performed by affecting a Cockney persona. By, 18982, Miss Victoria was a sensation with her first hit son, “Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow Wow.”

Her deadpan style and tremendous singing voice made Vesta Victoria very popular in both Britain and in the U.S., and by 1907, upon going to America, she was the highest paid performer in Vaudeville.

Drawing of the Day: Vesta Tilley by George Cooke, 1910-20

Vesta Tilley
George Cooke
1910-1920
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This caricature of music hall star (and male impersonator) Vesta Tilley is from the fourth album which was compiled by the commercial artist George Cooke as a way to preserve his caricatures of music hall and variety performers. This fourth album contains caricatures drawn from 1910 to 1919.

This pen, ink and wash drawing of the head of Vesta Tilley shows the performer wearing a top hat. She is shown in shadow on the left side of her face, and is set against a black background, with four small silhouettes of her in the left hand margin.

Drawing of the Day: Vesta Tilley by George Cooke, 1910-20

Vesta Tilley
George Cooke
1910-1920
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This caricature of music hall star (and male impersonator) Vesta Tilley  is from the fourth album which was compiled by the commercial artist George Cooke as a way to preserve his caricatures of music hall and variety performers. This fourth album contains caricatures drawn from 1910 to 1919.

This pen, ink and wash drawing of the head of Vesta Tilley shows the performer wearing a top hat.  She is shown in shadow on the left side of her face, and is set against a black background, with four small silhouettes of her in the left hand margin.

History's Runway: A Costume Design for Vesta Tilley, c.1908

Costume Design
Robert Crafter
1908
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Dating to about 1908, this costume design by Robert Crafter was created for Vesta Tilley for an unidentified production. 

Miss Tilley is shown in male attire, but Crafter has feminized the outfit in order to showcase Miss Tilley’s feminine figure.  This was a departure for the star who, when dressed as a man, strove to truly look the part.  

Antique Image of the Day: The German Prince, 19th C.

The German Prince
Nineteenth Century
The Victoria & Albert Museum

“The German Prince” was written by Albert Hall and  composed by Walter de Frece to be sung by Miss Vesta Tilley in the late Nineteenth Century.  Tilley would have performed the song in her trademark male apparel.  

Here, we see an original color song-sheet of “The German Prince” from the era.  The art is by H.G. Banks. 

Antique Image of the Day: The German Prince, 19th C.

The German Prince
Nineteenth Century
The Victoria & Albert Museum

“The German Prince” was written by Albert Hall (Ha!) and  composed by Walter de Frece to be sung by Miss Vesta Tilley in the late Nineteenth Century.  Tilley would have performed the song in her trademark male apparel.  

Here, we see an original color song-sheet of “The German Prince” from the era.  The art is by H.G. Banks.  

Scrap of the Day: The Music Hall Masher, 1890

The Victoria & Albert Museum

This handsome scrap from 1890 was colored by hand and depicts a blonde female music hall performer, dressed in masculine garb--wearing a small grey bowler hat, and a monocle in her left eye. She is smoking a cigarette and holding a cane by her face. The scrap is titled “Pantomime Masher” and was printed by Siegmund Hildesheimer & Co.

The woman depicted here is the celebrated music hall male impersonator Vesta Tilley.

Scrap of the Day: The Music Hall Masher, 1890

The Victoria & Albert Museum

This handsome scrap from 1890 was colored by hand and depicts a blonde female music hall performer, dressed in masculine garb--wearing a small grey bowler hat, and a monocle in her left eye. She is smoking a cigarette and holding a cane by her face. The scrap is titled “Pantomime Masher” and was printed by Siegmund Hildesheimer & Co.

The woman depicted here is the celebrated music hall male impersonator Vesta Tilley.