Boer War Propaganda.
KIPLING, Rudyard (author). The Absent-Minded Beggar. London Daily Mail Publishing Co. 1899

Folio (32 x 25mm); a single sheet folded triptych-style and printed on all 6 sides on coated paper in dark green and ox-blood, small photographic portrait of Kipling to upper cover; the verse printed in green after his original manuscript, and including a full-page illustration (”A gentleman in kharki”) by Richard Caton Woodville; toned with a small brown mark (17mm) to upper corner of cover, with a single closed fold-tear (20mm).

First edition of this ephemeral piece, also simultaneously issued in this format printed on moiré silk: “The whole proceeds from the sale of this poem will be devoted […] to the benefit of the wives and children of the reservists”.

The poem was written and produced as a patriotic fund-raising appeal to support British soldiers fighting in the Second Boer War (1899-1902), and their dependants.  The quintessential British soldier or “Tommy” is portrayed as an “absent-minded beggar” who self-denyingly answers his country’s call to duty.  The project became a charitable and cultural phenomenon, symbolising Victorian-era jingoism.