Marcus Stone Collection

This collection consists of material relating mainly to theatre in the 19th century, and in particular to toy theatre representations of theatre at this time (known also as Juvenile Drama). This collection includes sets of engraved sheets with books of words produced by 19th- and early-20th-century print sellers intended for performance in toy theatres, along with engravings of actors, actresses, scenes and theatre buildings that were reproduced in toy theatre form. Also included are playbills, prints, press cuttings and other memorabilia relating to certain London theatres and actors, as well as modern toy theatre sets, catalogues and price lists issued by various sellers, books, magazines and journals relating to toy theatre.

Marcus Stone (1879-1963). [Unable to find any biographical information about Marcus Stone. His collection was compiled over 60 years].

The collection is organised into the following series and sub-series:

• THM/234/1 – Plays and portraits (by publisher)
• THM/234/2 – Original printing plates
• THM/234/3 – Press and magazine cuttings
• THM/234/4 – Catalogues and price lists
• THM/234/5 – Books, magazines and journals
• THM/234/6 – Programmes, posters, flyers and other ephemera
• THM/234/7 – Correspondence
• THM/234/8 – Prints, playbills, theatrical portraits, press cuttings and other memorabilia (by theatre or actor)
• THM/234/9 – Large sheets (by publisher)
• THM/234/10 – Modern toy theatre sets, pictures and posters
• THM/234/11 – Oversize items
• THM/234/12 – Card catalogue

This archive collection is available for consultation in the V&A Blythe House Archive and Library Study Room by appointment only. Full details of access arrangements may be found here: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/archives/.

Access to some of the material may be restricted. These are noted in the catalogue where relevant.

Bequeathed by Marcus Stone in 1955.

This collection was first catalogued by Roy Adams in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This card catalogue follows the order in which the material was boxed at this time. This order has largely been maintained for the present catalogue. The location of those items that have been relocated has been noted on the relevant card in the Adams catalogue.

Stone Tinsel prints (museum numbers S.30-1981 to S.35-1981, S.1307-1983, S.14-1992 to S.16.1992, S.24.1992, S.25-1992, S.29-1992 and S.30-1992.

Information on copying and commercial reproduction may be found here: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/archives/.

This collection was appraised in line with the collection management policy.

No further accruals are expected.

See also the core collections of the V&A Department of Theatre and Performance. Material relating to toy theatre may be found in the Herbert Hinkins Collection (THM/235).

Please ask for details.