[KIPLING (Rudyard, 1865-1936, Novelist & Poet)]

Facsimile Autograph of his Poem 'The Absent-minded Beggar', as a folding triptych, with a photo of the author by Collier on the title page, a full-page reproduction of "A gentleman in kharki", by R. Caton Woodville, 1899, in the centre, showing a 'Tommy', his head bandaged but defiantly drawing the bolt of his rifle, framed by 2 verses each on the pages on either side, together 48 lines, publisher's note on side 5, printed on cream paper by Eyre & Spottiswoode as Queen's Printers showing the Royal Arms, the lettering in green, the two illustrations in reddish-brown, "Copyright in England and the United States by the Daily Mail Publishing Co.", 6 sides 12½" x 8", several light creases, very lightly dusty on side 1, small split in part of one vertical fold but otherwise a pleasing copy

Written for and sold and sung (to music by Sullivan) in theatres and elsewhere in support of the families left behind by the reservists who went out to South Africa from all classes of society, beginning "When you've shouted 'Rule Britannia' - when you've sung 'God Save the Queen' ... will you kindly drop a shilling in my little tambourine ... he's an absent-minded beggar and his weaknesses are great ... and he's left a lot of little things behind him!", probing their situations, "There are girls he married secret, asking no permission to ... There is gas and coals and skittles and the houserent falling due ...", and with references to Paul Kruger. It also exhorted employers to keep the soldiers' jobs open for them when they came back. The fund raised over a quarter of a million pounds.
Originally published in the Daily Mail on 31st October 1899.
The first edition thus. Livingston 221.

Item Date:  1899

Stock No:  56354      £85

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