K.6.e.3

Folio album containing photographs, concert programmes and other memorabilia from the Wandering Minstrels’ concerts staged between 1882 and 1898.

Contents:-

[inside flyleaf]: A cutting, from Truth, noting that the Wandering Minstrels are not disbanding.

f. 1. Decorative title-page, reading: ‘Presented to the Wandering Minstrels on the reorganization of the Society by Spencer H. and Henry D. Curtis. January 1882.’

f. 1v. Decorative page giving names of President (Sir Henry P. de Bathe) and Honorary Members, with a photograph of Sir Henry de Bathe. The Hon. Members are named as the Lady Katherine [sic] Coke, the Right Hon. The Earl of Wilton, the Lady Alice des Voeux, the Rev. Sir F.A. Gore Ouseley, Bart., Miss Evelyn D’Egville, Lord Gerald Fitzgerald.

f. 2. Decorative page containing the names of the Officers of the Society, with photographs. Conductor: Lionel S. Benson; Hon. Treasurer: Richard Hughes [annotation, in a later hand, reads: ‘died 7 April 1894, aet. 84’]; Hon. Secretary, Henry D. Curtis; Committee: W.P. Mills; A.D. Cooper, H.B. Heath’.

f. 3. List of members of the orchestra, as at January 1882.

f. 3v. Lithograph of Robert Lindley by M. Gauci, ‘From a Painting by Mr. F. Rosenberg in the Possession of Fred^k Marshall Esq^r., Leamington’.

f. 4. Lithograph of Domenico Dragonetti by M. Gauci, ‘From a Painting by Mr. W. F. Rosenberg in the possession of Henry J. Elliston, Esq^re, Leamington’.

f. 4v. Press cuttings relating to the Wandering Minstrels’ concert at the Grosvenor Hall in aid of the West End Hospital, with a letter of thanks from the hospital.

f. 5. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 9 February 1882 at Grosvenor Hall, in aid of the Paralysed Children at the West End Hospital, 73 Welbeck Street, with press cuttings. Sum raised: £50 net.

f. 5v. Lithograph of Michael Hanhart by A. Ring, 1881. A manuscript annotation against Hanhart’s name reads ‘died Sept. 17 1884, aet. 74’. Below are some press cuttings, one about counterfeit violins, and an illustration of an alto clarinet with five keys (18th century).

f. 6. Photograph of T. Ratliff, L.S. Benson, J.S. Hardy, and Hon. S. Lyttelton singing outside, by ‘Miss Mary Egerton, Brogyntyn, Oct. 1881’. Below it are press cuttings relating to a lecture on Beethoven by Professor Pauer, and a olde-worlde style playbill for a performance of Sullivan’s Cox and Box (by ‘Doctor Arthur Sullyvanne’) at Winchester Theatre Royal on Monday 13 February, starring Sir Henry de Bathe, and with ‘Ye Orchestra selected from ye Musicians of Her Majestie’s Opera, ye Philharmonic Societie, ye Scottes Guardes, two itinerante German Bandes, and ye Hampshyre Militia, conducted by Mr. Lionel Benson, Master of ye Musick to ye antient and honourable Societie of Wanderynge Mynstrelles’.

f. 6v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 130th smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall, on 16 February 1882.

[unnumbered sheet] Three designs for tickets for Wandering Minstrels’ smoking concerts, in ink and pencil.

f. 7. Designs for smoking concert tickets by A. Davis Cooper, W.M., in ink, with press cuttings relating to the smoking concerts.

f. 7v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 131st smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 30 March 1882, with a press cutting.

f. 8. Ten small photographs, each with signatures below, of James Clark, H.C. Archer, G.W.H. Gates, J. Henry Philpot, Eugene Romer, Henry Mackenzie, Edward [illeg.], Frederic M. Humfrey, W.P. Mills, H. Arthur Smith.

f. 8v. Photograph of Reigate, with press cuttings relating to the Wandering Minstrels’ concert there.

f. 9. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 20 April 1882 at the Public Hall, Reigate, in aid of the Holmesdale Institute. Sum raised: £56 net.

f. 9v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 11 May 1882 at Grosvenor Hall, in aid of the Belgrave Hospital for Children. Sum raised: £65 net.

[unnumbered sheet] Resolution of thanks from the Belgrave Hospital for Children.

f. 10 . Photograph of General Sir Henry de Bathe and press cutting from The World, containing a profile of the General.

f. 10v. Bill of fare from Gulf House, Fort Scott, Kansas, and a printed cartoon from Punch.

f. 11. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 132nd smoking concert, on Thursday 25 May 1882. Below are photographs of Lionel Benson, August de Wette, and Lord Chelmsford, and press cuttings announcing the marriage of Lionel Benson to Miss Marion Fotheringham.

f. 11v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 15 June 1882 in aid of St. Stephen’s Mission Schools at the Albert Institute, Windsor. Sum raised: £50.

f. 12. Photograph of Windsor, with a press cutting relating to difficulties faced by amateurs regarding copyright, and a photograph of the ‘Fiddler of York Minster’.

f. 12v. Photograph of C.J. Freake (honorary member, ‘died 16 Oct. 1884 aet 70’) and press cuttings containing articles on fashions in music, copyright and amateurism.and a printed cartoon.

f. 13. Set of German caricatures headed ‘Grad’ aus dem Wirthshaus’. Printed.

f. 13v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 133rd smoking concert on Thursday 11 January 1883.

f. 14. A set of printed caricatures of a conductor, labelled ‘A Contribution from Mrs. Ernest Gye’. Underneath, in pencil, is added ‘Madame Albani’.

f. 14v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 134th smoking concert, on Thursday 15 February 1883. Above is a letter to Cracroft from Walter [Fane?], with a drawing of a cellist.

f. 15. Lithograph of Richard Wagner, marked ‘died 13 February 1883’.

f. 15v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 135th smoking concert, on 15 March 1883, with press cuttings about copyright and a swindle over a violin.

f. 16. Printed caricature of Sir Charles Freake by ‘T’, [from Vanity Fair] and press cuttings relating to Freake and the lowly origins of some great musicians.

f. 16v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 12 April 1883 at St. Andrew’s Hall, in aid of the funds of St. John’s Schools, St. Pancras, with a small illustration. Sum raised: £70 net.

f. 17. Crayon drawing annotated ‘Some heads of The Audience sketched by a W.M. (12/5/83)’. Below are caricatures of Benedict and Rubinstein by ‘F.G.’, press cuttings about musical instruments and a poem by T.V. Lister.

f. 17v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 19 April 1883 at the Borough Hall, Guildford, in aid of the Surrey County Hospital. With a photograph of the Hospital, and press cuttings relating to the concert. Sum raised: £67 net.

f. 18. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 26 April 1883 at Grosvenor Hall, in aid of the Girls’ Friendly Society, Holborn Lodge, with a resolution of thanks from the Society.

f. 18v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Friday 4 May 1883 at Grosvenor Hall, in aid of the Recreation Rooms for Working Girls in East London, with a press cutting on the subject of ‘Music as an Occupation’. Sum raised: £137.17.

f. 19. Programme and invitation card for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 10 May 1883 at Grosvenor Hall, with press cuttings about music and a photograph of W.P. Mills playing the flute.

f. 19v. Watercolour depiction of Old King Cole, by Miss E. P. with manuscript poem. Below these is a printed caricature of musicians, headed ‘The Cornet Solo’.

f. 20. Printed portrait of Lord Gerald FitzGerald with short biography, from Vanity Fair.

f. 20v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 136th smoking concert on 24 May 1883, at Grosvenor Hall, and for their concert there on Thursday 31 May 1883, in aid of the Building Fund for the Extension of the Dental Hospital of London, Leicester Square. Sum raised £108.10. net.

f. 21. Lithograph of ‘A Wandering Minstrel’, from the picture by T.E. Bertier.

f. 21v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 137th smoking concert on 24 January 1884, at Grosvenor Hall, with a press cutting about the concert and photographs of Charles Kelvey, Frederick Knowles and H.M. Bower.

f. 22. Printed list of orchestral members, January 1884, with press cuttings, one an illustration showing ‘The Princeincian Band (From the Royal College of Music)’, the other a poem about the band, from Truth Christmas number.

f. 22v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 14 February 1884 at the Masonic Hall, Camberwell New Road, in aid of the Camberwell Provident Dispensary. Sum raised: £77.7 net. Below is a press cutting headed ‘Fancy Priced Violins’.

f. 23. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 21 February 1884 at Brighton Town Hall, in aid of the Brighton Ladies’ Association for the Care of Friendless Girls, with press cuttings about the concert and a photograph of Brighton Town Hall. Sum raised: £50 net.

f. 23v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 24 April 1884 in aid of the funds of the West Kent General Hospital, at the Corn Exchange, Maidstone, with a photograph of Maidstone and press cuttings relating to the concert. Sum raised: £97.

f. 24. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 138th smoking concert, on 1 May 1884, with a press cutting headed ‘Beethoven’s last days’.

f. 24v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 22 May 1884 at Grosvenor Hall, in aid of Newport Market Refuge and Industrial Schools, with a letter of thanks. Sum raised: £69.8.3 net. Below is a press cutting with a humorous note about Italian terms in music, from The Musical Times.

f. 25. German illustration of musicians, entitled ‘Eine Kapelle’. Printed.

f. 25v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 139th smoking concert, on Thursday 29 May 1884, with pencil sketches of some audience members.

f. 26. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 140th smoking concert, on 18 December 1884, with a press cutting headed ‘The Conductor’s Baton’ and a printed list of orchestral members as at January 1885.

f. 26v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 141st smoking concert, on 5 February 1885, with photographs of Thomas A. Romer, Ernst Reiter and G. E. Gates.

f. 27. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 12 February 1885, at the Hall, Normansfield, Hampton Wick, in aid of the South Teddington Fire Brigade, with a photograph of Normansfield and press cuttings relating to the concert. Sum raised: £70 net.

f. 27v . Press cutting comprising an illustration of the interior of the New Entertainment Hall at Normansfield, Hampton-Wick, and a letter of thanks to the Wandering Minstrels for their concert in aid of the South Teddington Fire Brigade.

f. 28. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 19 March 1885 at the Masonic Hall, Camberwell New Road, in aid of the Camberwell Provident Dispensary, with press cuttings relating to the concert. Sum raised: £68.2. net. Two tiny printed illustrations of musicians are also pasted in.

f. 28v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 26 March 1885, at Grosvenor Hall, in aid of the Grosvenor Hospital for Women & Children, Vincent Square, Westminster, with a press cutting about the concert and a letter of thanks. Amount raised = £95.6.6.

f. 29. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 30 April 1885 at Prince’s Hall, for the National Aid Society, H.R.H. Princess Louise’s Branch, with a press cutting from Vanity Fair about the event, and a personal letter of thanks from Princess Louise. Sum raised: £280 net.

f. 29v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 142nd smoking concert on 7 May 1885, with a press cutting headed ‘The Amateur Orchestra’.

f. 30. Press cutting, in German, headed ‘Blätter und Blüthen’, with some English notes, in manuscript, a printed list of orchestral members as at January 1886 and a photograph of W.R. Knobel.

f. 30v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 143rd smoking concert, on 21 January 1886, and a press cutting, in French, headed ‘La Musique aux Pays des Brouillards’, with an English translation, in manuscript.

f. 31. Photographs of composers’ funerary monuments.

f. 31v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 28 January 1886 at the Grosvenor Hall, in aid of the Kensington Institute for the Blind, with a letter of thanks. Sum raised: £55.8.6.

f. 32. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 25 February 1886 at the Grosvenor Hall in aid of the Unemployed in London (Mansion House Fund). Sum raised: £118.6.1. With press cuttings containing announcements about the Wandering Minstrels’ concert and a visit to England by Rubinstein, and a receipt for £118.6. received from the Wandering Minstrels by The Unemployed in London Mansion House Relief Fund.

f. 32v. Press cutting comprising an illustration captioned ‘A Village Entertainment’, and a pen and ink drawing showing four inebriated men, bearing the words ‘S’hallright! Whereshtation?’

f. 33. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 144th smoking concert, on 4 March 1886, and press cuttings about smoking concerts.

f. 33v-34v. Printed illustrations of musicians, apparently cut from a book.

f. 35. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 145th smoking concert on Thursday 8 April 1886, at Grosvenor Hall, and programme for their concert on Thursday 15 April 1886 at Grosvenor Hall in aid of Morley House Sea-Side Convalescent Home for the Working Men of London, St. Margaret’s Bay, Kent. Sum raised: £50 net.

f. 35v. Press cutting about Liszt (from Vanity Fair?), with an illustration by ‘Spy’.

f. 36. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 25th-anniversary concert on Thursday 27 May 1886 at Grosvenor Hall, with an invitation card and menu.

f. 36v. Printed list of orchestral members as of January 1887, with photographs of Frank H. Butler, W.E. Slaughter, Frederick Varness and Spencer H. Curtis.

f. 37. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 146th smoking concert, on 20 January 1887 at Grosvenor Hall, with press cuttings about the exhumation of the remains of Beethoven and Schubert.

f. 38. Lithograph of Lord Gerald Fitzgerald, to which the words ‘died 23 September 1886 aged 65’ have been added in manuscript. Below it are press cuttings relating to his death.

f. 38v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on 27 January 1887 at the Grosvenor Hall, in aid of the Young Women’s Help Society, 29 Queen Square. With a letter from the Young Women’s Help Society to the WM, dated 10 February 1887, expressing gratitude for the concert given on 27 January. The writer adds ‘…they very much regret that the weather prevented so many people attending the concert’. Sum raised: £64.4.6. net.

f. 39. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 3 February 1887 at the New Town Hall, Teddington, in aid of the South Teddington Workmen’s Club, with press cuttings relating to the concert. Sum raised: £66.16.10.

f. 39v. Programmes for the Wandering Minstrels’ 147th smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 31 March 1887, and for their concert on Thursday 3 March 1887 at Grosvenor Hall in aid of the Metropolitan Association for Befriending Young Servants. Sum raised: £114.12.6.

f. 40. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 5 May 1887 at Grosvenor Hall, with an invitation card and a press cutting headed ‘The Violin Amateur’.

f. 40v. Printed caricature of Thames Valley Orchestral Society, a printed illustration of turkeys singing and a photograph of E. Thesiger.

f. 41. Part of a bill or programme and a book of words for a concert by the Wandering Minstrels, and the Magpie Minstrels on Thursday 19 May 1887 at Prince’s Hall, Piccadilly, in aid of the People’s Entertainment Society. Sum raised: £90 net.

f. 41v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 148th smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 15 December 1887, with a photograph of Lewis W. Weber.

f. 42. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 26 January 1888 at Grosvenor Hall, in aid of the Grosvenor Hospital for Women and Children, with a letter of thanks from the Hospital. Tickets sold: £84.6.0. Expenses: £10.8. Sum raised: £73.18.0 net.

f. 42v. Press cutting containing a photograph of the organ at St Bavokerk, Haarlem; press cutting headed ‘A model music criticism’ and photographs of Thomas A. Romer and Reginald Toogood.

f. 43. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 2 February 1888 at Grosvenor Hall, in aid of the Establishment for Gentlewomen during Temporary Illness, together with a letter of thanks from the organisation. Sum raised: £150 net.

f. 43v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 149th smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 23 February 1888, with a press cutting containing a review of the Wandering Minstrels’ and Magpie Minstrels’ concert on 26 April 1888.

f. 44. Programme and book of words for the Wandering Minstrels’ and Magpie Minstrels’ ‘Grand Concert’ on Thursday 26 April 1888 at Princes’ Hall, Piccadilly, in aid of the Phoenix Club and Institute for Working Men and Lads. Sum raised: £200 net.

f. 44v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 150th smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 10 May 1888, with a menu for the annual dinner, press cutting about the event and list of those who attended, added in manuscript.

f. 45. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 151st smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 13 December 1888, together with press cuttings from Punch, a photograph, and letter from C.E. Sparrow.

f. 45v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 152nd smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 14 February 1889, with a list of orchestral members as at January 1889, a press cutting about the smoking concerts and photographs of C.F. Crowder and Arthur Hodgson.

f. 46. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 28 February 1889 at the Masonic Hall, Camberwell New Road, in aid of the Camberwell Provident Dispensary, together with a letter of thanks from the organisation. The writer notes that ‘although the weather was so unfavourable the performance was financially a success the net proceeds after paying all expenses being £66.3.2.’

f. 46v. Photographs of Louis d’Egville senior and junior, Evelyn d’Egville, and August de Wette, with a press cutting containing biographical information about August de Wette.

f. 47. Press cutting containing a drawing by Louis Gunnis entitled ‘A Spring Cleaning’, with a cutting from The Court Journal advertising the Wandering Minstrels’ forthcoming concert on 4 April 1889, and cuttings about the cornet and a boat called Wandering Minstrel.

f. 47v. Press cuttings containing reviews of the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on 4 April 1889, with a letter of thanks from the Royal Free Hospital for the concert.

f. 48. Photographs of Henry D. Curtis, Gerald E. Maude and Dr. J. Henry Philpot, with a programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 4 April 1889 at Holborn Town Hall in aid of the Building Completion Fund of the Royal Free Hospital, Gray’s Inn Road. Sum raised: £141.3.6. net.

f. 48v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 153rd smoking concert on 11 April 1889, with press cuttings about the smoking concerts and the death of Henry Le Patourel, and a photograph of Le Patourel.

f. 49. Programme for a concert given by the Wandering Minstrels and Magpie Minstrels on Thursday 9 May 1889 at Princes’ Hall, Piccadilly, in aid of the Ladies’ Work Society. Sum raised: £202.8. net. Below is a press cutting from Punch, headed ‘Our special musical critic’.

f. 49v. Photograph of members of the Wandering Minstrels and other musicians, with instruments, at Totteridge House, on 6 July 1889. Those present are named as Heath (W.M.), Butler (W.M.), H.D. Curtis (W.M.), S.H. Curtis (W.M.), R.F. Holme, Cooper (W.M.), Scott, Thesiger (W.M.), Miss d’Egville (W.M.), L. d’Egville (W.M.), Maude (W.M.), Decker, de Wette (W.M.), and L.H. d’Egville (W.M.). Below are press cuttings headed ‘The Leeds Musical Festival. A Working-Man’s Letter’ and ‘Old Fiddlers for New’.

f. 50. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 16 May 1889 at Grosvenor Hall, in aid of the Girls’ Friendly Society Lodges for Young Englishwomen in the Cities of Northern and Central Europe. Sum raised: £50 net. Below is a press cutting from The World, about the death of Frederic Clay, with an illustration.

f. 50v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 154th smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 30 January 1890, with a printed list of orchestral members as of January 1890.

f. 51. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 155th smoking concert, on 6 March 1890, with photographs of Edward Colegrave, Henry V. Bate and Ellis Carr, and a press cutting headed ‘From the Diary of a Musician’.

f. 51v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 156th smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 27 March 1890, with a photograph of Thomas Selby and press cuttings about music.

f. 52. Press cuttings comprising an illustration of Madame Albani and a piece headed ‘Curiosities of the Musical Profession’.

f. 52v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 1 May 1890 at the Borough Hall, Guildford, in aid of the Royal Surrey County Hospital, and a press cutting relating to the concert. Sum raised: £50 net.

[unnumbered sheet] Resolution of thanks from the Royal Surrey County Hospital.

f. 53. Photograph of Guildford and press cuttings relating to the concert there on 1 May 1890.

f. 53v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 8 May 1890 at the Castle Assembly Rooms, Richmond, in aid of the London & South Western Railway Servants’ Orphanage, Clapham, with a photograph of Richmond Park, and press cuttings relating to the concert. Sum raised: £50.3.6 net.

f. 54. Programme for a concert given by the Magpie Minstrels, assisted by the Wandering Minstrels, at Princes’ Hall on Thursday 15 May 1890, in aid of H.R.H. Princess Frederica’s Convalescent Home. Sum raised: £30 net. Below are photographs of [illeg.], C.H.H. Macartney and G.M. Carfrae.

f. 54v-55. Illustratoin by Tom Merry entitled ‘Tuning Up’, featuring musicians and the words ‘Autumn Season 1890-1’.

f. 55v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 157th smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 18 December 1890, and with a card being the words ‘Season 1890-1’.

f. 56. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 158th smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 12 February 1891, with a printed list of orchestral members as of January 1891, a press cutting headed ‘Lessons in Fiddle Making’ and a photograph of Grosvenor Hall.

f. 56v. Press cutting featuring an illustration from the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News with the caption ‘Is the English Public Musical?’

f. 57. Programmes for the Wandering Minstrels’ 159th and 160th smoking concerts at Grosvenor Hall on 19 March and 7 May 1891, with a press cutting about Mozart’s skull.

f. 57v. Programme and invitation card for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 14 May 1891 at Grosvenor Hall.

f. 58. Photographs of Countess Valda Gleichen, Frank Pownall, W. Hugh Spottiswoode and M.J. Macartney.

f. 58v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’s 161st smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 17 December 1891, with a photograph of J.W. Alcock.

f. 59. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’s 162nd smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 25 February 1892, with a press cutting announcing the sudden death of Louis d’Egville senior, and another headed ‘Two Views of Schubert’.

f. 59v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 163rd smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 7 April 1892, with photographs of Charles Daws, E. Rennell, George Langshaw and R.H.F. Dumaresq.

f. 60. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 12 May 1892 at St. George’s Rifles Hall, in aid of the Mission School at Ahmendnagar, Bombay. Sum raised: £63.17.10 net. Below is a photograph of Lionel Benson and a press cutting containing a letter to the Times headed ‘The Balance of the Modern Orchestra’.

f. 60v. Press cutting containing an illustration of a wandering minstrel, with a programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 164th smoking concert on 15 December 1892.

f. 61. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 165th smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 9 February 1893, with a printed list of orchestral members as of January 1893, a photograph of G. Palmer and a press cutting headed ‘The Dress Coat’.

f. 61v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 2 February 1893, at the Castle Assembly Rooms, Richmond, in aid of the Building Fund of the Princess May’s Ward for Children at the Richmond Hospital, with a photograph of Richmond Hospital and press cuttings relating to the event. Sum raised: £50 net.

f. 62. Letter from Richmond Hospital, dated 15 February 1893, thanking the Wandering Minstrels for their concert on 2 February. Below is a programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 165th smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall, on 9 February 1893.

f. 62v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on the afternoon of Saturday 4 March 1893 at the Town Hall, Bournemouth, in aid of the London & South-Western Railway Widows’ & Orphans’ Benefit Society & Servants’ Orphanage Institution. Sum raised: £58 net.

f. 63. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on the evening of Saturday 4 March 1893, at the Town Hall, Bournemouth, with a photograph of Bournemouth and press cuttings relating to the event.

f. 63v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 166th smoking concert, on 23 March 1893, with press cuttings, one containing ‘Sketches at the Wandering Minstrels’ smoking concert’, the other about the Wandering Minstrels’ 1000th meeting.

f. 64. Printed illustration of a black-face minstrel and boy, captioned ‘De Wandrin Minstrel’. Below is a photograph of the Wandering Minstrels in Bournemouth in 1893. The players are named as J. Alcock, C. Smith, Daws, Macartney, Matthew, Evans, H. Curtis, Varness, MacKenzie, Cooke, Stephenson, Holme, Bate, Langshaw, Weber, Slaughter, Slaughter jun, Rose, Maude, Palmer, Colegrave, Knowles, d’Egville, Benson, Humfrey, S. Curtis, Butler, Mrs. Holme, Cooper, Somers-Cocks, Robinson, Ivimey, E. Thesiger, Dean, A. Thesiger, F. Alcock.

f. 64v. Press cuttings about Ellis Carr.

f. 65. Further press cuttings about Ellis Carr, and cuttings containing a caricature of Thomas Selby, ‘a retired W.M.’ and a discussion of whether England is a musical nation.

f. 65v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 167th smoking concert (their 1000th meeting), on 14 December 1893, at Grosvenor Hall, with press cuttings about the Wandering Minstrels.

f. 66-67. Printed booklet from the Wandering Minstrels’ 1000th meeting, containing a history of the society.

f. 67v. Printed list of members of the Wandering Minstrels, from its commencement. Below is a printed invitation card for a smoking concert, designed by A. Davis Cooper.

f. 68. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 1 February 1894 at the Constitutional Hall, Sevenoaks, in aid of the Hospital for Children with Hip Disease, The Vine, Sevenoaks, together with press cuttings relating to the event. Sum raised: £50 net.

f. 68v. Programmes for the Wandering Minstrels’ 168th and 169th smoking concerts on 8 February and 15 March 1894.

f. 69. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 19 April 1894 at Princes’ Hall, in aid of the North Eastern Hospital for Children, Hackney Road, N.E. With a letter, dated 25 October 1894, from the North Eastern Hospital for Children to the Wandering Minstrels, thanking them for their concert on 19 April. Sum raised: £92.13.8. Below is an illustration by Lionel J. Cowen entitled ‘The Old “Strad”’, printed by the Swan Electric Engraving Co.

f. 69v. Programme and invitation card for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 26 April 1894 at Grosvenor Hall.

f. 70. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 170th smoking concert on 13 December 1894, with a printed list of orchestral members as at January 1895.

f. 70v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 31 January 1895 at Grosvenor Hall, in aid of the Maternity Charity and District Nurses’ Home. Sum raised: £50.10 net. Above are photographs of S. Carey Curtis, [illeg.] and P.V. Rose.

f. 71. Press cutting from Scribner’s Magazine on orchestral conducting and conductors.

f. 71v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 21 March 1895 at the Star and Garter Hotel, Richmond, in aid of the Building Fund of the Princess May’s Ward for Children at the Royal Hospital, Richmond, with press cuttings relating to the event, and a resolution of thanks from the Hospital, dated 10 April 1895. Sum raised: £480 net.

f. 72. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 171st smoking concert, on 28 March 1895, and a photograph of The Star and Garter Hotel, Richmond.

f. 72v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 4 April 1895 at the Grosvenor Hall, in aid of Parochial Mission Women Fund. Sum raised: £92.17 net. Above are photographs of Horace Porter and Alfred Scott Gatty.

f. 73. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 172nd smoking concert on 12 December 1895. Below is a photograph of Lionel Benson seated on a horse.

f. 73v. List of orchestral members as at January 1896, with a programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 173rd smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 20 February 1896, some press cuttings about music, and a sketch of a clarinettist, dated 20 February 1896.

f. 74. Printed illustrations of composers.

f. 74v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 174th smoking concert, on 19 March 1896 at Grosvenor Hall, with a photograph of Colonel de Bathe and a press cutting about the trombone.

f. 75. Programme and invitation card for the Wandering Minstrels’ concert on Thursday 26 March 1896 at Grosvenor Hall.

f. 75v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 175th smoking concert, on 17 December 1896 at Grosvenor Hall, with a press cutting about ‘Musicians who talk “shop”’.

f. 76. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 176th smoking concert on 18 February 1897 at Grosvenor Hall, with a list of orchestral members as at January 1897.

f. 76v. Programmes for the Wandering Minstrels’ 177th and 178th smoking concerts, at Grosvenor Hall on 18 March 1897 and 16 December 1897 respectively, with a press cutting from the Orchestral Association Gazette, entitled ‘Impressions from the Stalls’.

f. 77. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ 179th smoking concert, at Grosvenor Hall on 17 February 1898, with a list of orchestral members as at January 1898, and a press cutting headed ‘Marvels of Musical Memory’.

f. 77v. Programme for the Wandering Minstrels’ final concert, their 18th smoking concert, on 24 March 1898 at Grosvenor Hall. A drawing featuring a tombstone has been pasted onto the programme, and below it is a photograph of Arthur Thesiger.

f. 78. Photograph of the Wandering Minstrels at their farewell concert at Grosvenor Hall on 24 March 1898.

f. 78v. Menu and seating plan for the Wandering Minstrels’ dinner on 9 February 1899.

f. 79. Autograph signatures of members of the Wandering Minstrels.

The leather case housing this volume was originally padded out with two newspapers: the Globe and Traveller for 15th February 1882 and the Kingston and Richmond Express for 26th January 1889. The former has been preserved separately, but the latter, being in extremely poor condition, has been disposed of. (The existing holdings of both newspapers can be consulted in the Newsroom, the Globe under shelfmark MFM.MLD27 and the Kingston Express under NEWS7458 or MFM.M30380.)