BONFIRE of HISTORY: The Lost Treasures, Trophies & Trivia of Madame Tussaud's

On March 18, 1925, a devastating fire destroyed the Marylebone premises of Madame Tussauds. The fire was extinguished the following morning, leaving only a few distorted models and scrap iron. However, the pre-fire catalogues reveal that the waxworks were more than just wax representations. Madame Tussaud and her family were avid collectors of works of art, memorabilia, and trivia related to their displays, including a bloodstained shirt of King Henri IV, a guillotine blade, 18th and 19th-century pictures, sculptures, furniture, clothing, and a priceless collection of Napoléonica. Christopher Jolls and Penny Cobhams new illustrated book describes the extraordinary items that were lost in 1925, set in the context of Madame Tussauds' story and the historical events surrounding the items. It also uncovers many fakes and forgeries, as well as irreplaceable and priceless historical treasures.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 13 November 2023
Publisher: Nine Elms Books

On the evening of March 18, 1925, a devastating fire engulfed the Marylebone premises of Madame Tussauds, leaving little more than distorted models and a pile of scrap iron in its wake. Visitors to the waxworks today may assume that what was lost in 1925 was similar to the current displays. However, the pre-fire catalogues reveal a different story. Madame Tussaud & Sons Exhibition was much more than just wax representations of famous and notorious figures. The French model maker and her family, who managed the business after her, were avid collectors of works of art, memorabilia, and trivia related to their displays. In fact, Madame Tussauds was more like a cabinet of historical curiosities than a wax works.

The lost collection was a treasure trove of remarkable items, ranging from the bloodstained shirt of King Henri IV, worn during his assassination in 1610, to the original guillotine blade. It also included a vast collection of 18th and 19th-century pictures and sculptures by renowned artists, furniture, clothing, and a priceless collection of Napoléonica, including the Emperor's tooth, three of his carriages, and other artifacts.

To piece together the story of what was lost in 1925, Christopher Jolls and Penny Cobhams have authored a new illustrated book. They have relied on contemporary accounts, pre-fire catalogues, insurance inventories, and exclusive access to the Madame Tussauds archives. The book describes the extraordinary items in chronological order, set within the context of Madame Tussauds' own story and the historical events surrounding the lost collection. Along the way, they uncover many fakes and forgeries that have been circulating for decades.

The fire at Madame Tussauds was a significant loss to the world of art and history. It marked the end of an era and the loss of many irreplaceable treasures. However, through the meticulous research and dedication of Jolls and Cobhams, we can now gain a better understanding of what was lost and the significance of the items that were destroyed. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in art, history, and the fascinating world of Madame Tussauds.

Weight: 994g
Dimension: 199 x 256 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781910533697