Printed Ephemera — 1836-1850
Mr T.P. Cooke as Union Jack
Miniature uncoloured theatrical portrait plate engraved with a portrait of the actor Mr T.P. Cooke in the role of Union Jack. This portrait would have been part of a larger sheet printed with four different theatrical portraits. Such plates were sold as theatrical souvenirs. Cooke was well known for playing the heroes in nautical dramas, such as in this portrait. These cheerful heroes were known as 'Jolly Jack Tar' characters.The role of Union Jack explicitly linked the stock figure of the 'Jolly Jack Tar' with an idealized national naval hero. Writers have speculated that Cooke's popularity partly stemmed from his portrayal of a brave and constant hero for a changing nation.
- Category:
- Printed Ephemera
- Object ID:
- 99.132/243
- Object name:
- Mr T.P. Cooke as Union Jack
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Park, Archibald Alexander
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
47 Leonard Street, London EC2 [City of London], City of London
- Production date:
- 1836-1850
- Material:
paper, ink
- Measurements/duration:
- H 123 mm, W 98 mm
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.