Gilmour, Margaret ; Orr, Jack – Illustrator

Trying Toby & the Punch & Judy Show [Scarce Canine Perspective of the Punch and Judy Tradition]

Philadelphia: David McKay Company, 1925. Illustrated by Jack Orr. First American Edition.

An uncommon and charmingly illustrated children's tale told from the perspective of a terrier dog ('Toby') drafted into the traditional seaside puppet performance. This 1920s American release of the British work captures the 'Dog Toby' tradition of the slapstick Punch and Judy circuit through the whimsical lens of illustrator Jack Orr.

KEY FEATURES
+++ Visuals: Color pictorial cover label and numerous color plates throughout by Jack Orr.
+++ Binding: Publisher's navy-blue cloth with a vibrant color paste-on illustration. 
+++ Content: A narrative following Toby the terrier, a live dog traditionally used in puppet shows to interact with Mr. Punch. 
+++ Associated Names: Jack Orr (Illustrator); Margaret Gilmour (Author). 

CONDITION: Good -- A complete copy with bright color plates. The binding is secure, showing expected shelf wear and a previous owner's name ('Warren') neatly incised into the front cloth—a nostalgic remnant of its 1920s ownership—while the internal illustrations remain clean and charming.
+++ Imprint: David McKay Company, Philadelphia. First American Edition (originally published by Harrap in London). 
+++ Specs: Oblong, 9 by 6.25 inches / 30 pages.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE —
'Dog Toby' has been a fixture of the Punch and Judy show since the early 19th century, serving as the only 'live' element in the puppet booth. Traditionally, the dog wore a ruff and was trained to seize Mr. Punch by the nose, adding a layer of unpredictable comedy to the seaside performance. This work is significant for providing a rare narrative 'from the dog's point of view,' humanizing the animal performer for a juvenile audience.

Illustrator Jack Orr was a noted Scottish artist specializing in animals and anthropomorphic characters. His work in 'Trying Toby' reflects the high-quality color lithography synonymous with David McKay's imports in the 1920s. Despite the condition flaws, this remains a scarce item for collectors of puppet history, terriers, or British seaside ephemera.

SUBJECTS: Punch and Judy, Puppetry, Terriers, Dogs in Literature, British Seaside Culture, Performance Art, Juvenile Fiction, Anthropomorphic Fiction, Performing Arts History.

Item #16511

Price: $65.00