Drawing of the Day: Joe Elvin, 1907

Joe Elvin
George Cooke, 1907
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Here’s another Edwardian Music Hall caricature by George Cooke. This one shows Music hall star Joe Elvin (1862-1935) with his trademark red wig.

Elvin was born Joseph Patrick Keegan in London's Seven Dials, and made his first appearance at the age of eight in Brighton. As a young man, he worked with his father as Keegan and Little Elvin doing comedy song and dance routines. Elvin later starred in spectacular sketches, many of them written by Wal Pink, especially those with racing themes. Elvin famously wore a ginger wig in these routines.

This caricature, like most of the others by Cooke, has been autographed by the subject. In this case: 

"I aint Barmy. Yours In the 'padded Room' - Joe Elvin.”