GILBERT & SULLIVAN, MILLIKEN. Blue Hill Troupe [1935].

November 23, 2021

Rare Books, Documents, Photos, and Artwork

Lot 202

GILBERT & SULLIVAN, MILLIKEN. Blue Hill Troupe [1935].

Estimate: $100 - $150

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Description

[GILBERT & SULLIVAN]. ? [Dr & Mrs. Seth MILLIKEN]. [Blue Hill Troupe. Cover title:] Bluehill [sic.] Troupe Programs 1924-1935.

Offered for sale by Adam Langlands of 'Shadowrock Rare Books' - for more information please contact him via email at adamlanglands@gmail.com

[GILBERT & SULLIVAN]. – [Dr. Seth Minot MILLIKEN (1875 -1957) & Alida King MILLIKEN (1879-1975)]. [Blue Hill Troupe. Cover title:] Bluehill [sic.] Troupe Programs 1924-1935. [No place but New York ?: privately printed?, no date but c. June 1935]. Octavo ( 8 ½ x 5 ½in; 216 x 140mm). [pp.1-40 (including final blank)], + a small format printed slip is loosely inserted. Stapled into wrappers (light soiling, see images). Provenance: T. Merrill Prentice (1898-1985, estate sale purchase).

A rare record of the first 12 years of existence of the Blue Hill Troupe, originally set up in Maine, now Manhattan based. As an organization the Troupe mounts at least one Gilbert & Sullivan operetta a year, and, since, 1924 they have raised over nine million dollars for their various charity partners. This copy belonged to architect T. Merrill Prentice: he designed the scenery for the productions in 1932-1935.

The inserted small format, from Edward R. Otheman, reads “It is hoped that some members of the Bluehill Troupe will be interested in these programs.

No copies could be found of the programs of the first three operas, nor of the performance of the Gondoliers at Bluehill, so the programs of these operas were made up from memory by those who took part, and there are probably some errors and omissions. The other programs are copies of the printed ones used at the performances. Edward R. Otheman. New York, June, 1935”

“The Blue Hill Troupe was born the summer of 1924, when Dr. and Mrs. Seth Milliken decided to try and protect their children from the dangerous influences of the Roaring Twenties by having them put on a production of HMS Pinafore. That first Troupe Pinafore was performed on the deck of the Millikens’ yacht, lit from land by automobile headlights and accompanied by music school students, perched with piano and violins on a nearby yacht.

The Troupe moved to New York in 1926, and, with the exception of 1929, has performed a G&S operetta every year ever since. All proceeds since 1928—adjusted for inflation, nearly $9 million—raised through ticket sales, program advertising and special events, have benefited a New York City charity.

Over the years, more instruments were added to the original piano and strings; so that we now perform the original Sullivan scores with full orchestra support. One-night stands have stretched by steps to the present two-weekend performance schedule, usually with an additional road show some weeks later

The Troupe has produced all thirteen G&S operettas at least three times during its history. The more popular shows have been performed more often. “ (https://bht.org/history/)

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