Peck's Bad Boy Plays- Ephemera

George W. Peck authored the Peck's Bad Boy books. The books which were incredibly popular spawned movies, sponsorships for cigar companies and fishing gear, board games, and among other things, a very popular play.



The Peck's Bad Boy play was produced over approximately a 30 year period from the early 1880's to around 1910. Charles Felton Pidgin wrote the musical play (adapted from the Peck's Bad Boy stories) which formed the basis for the Atkinson Comedy Company's production. Atkinson's play was certainly the most prevalent during these years. A number of other production companies both with and without licenses from the play's owner, Charles Albert Shaw, also did the play.


Each year the play would cut a swath through a territory and play at local theaters from week to week. The actors would generally stay the same for a season but frequently there would be changes from season to season. This was also true of the script which would be changed sometimes based on the region where the play was being held. Musical scores were changed as well.


I have seen posters, broadsides, banners, cards and numerous other types of material which advertised the upcoming play in an area. The large full color posters are perhaps the nicest Peck's ephemera . These posters which were produced by the Enterprise Lithograph Company from Cleveland are very difficult to find in decent shape.

I thought I would show some of this ephemera here today.