New-York tribune., 1901-06-16
THE NEWS OF BROOKLYN.
AFFAIRS OF THE BORoUGHS ON LONG LSLAND-HAPPENINGS
IN NASSAU AND SUFFOLK.
GOSSIP OF THE BOROUGH.

An interesting curiosity shop IS the quaint little
book store hidden away In Washington-st., con-
Quoted by the Oldtime actor, George w. Thompson.
Father of the Order of Elks." who died recently.
and his brother. w ]. Thompson. also an actor OF
the old school. II has long been favorite resort
for collectors of theatrical photographs, pro-
grammes. plays and manuscripts medals, coins
and postage stamps. and books newspapers and
magazines published many years ago. There are
about ten thousand theatrical programmes in the
shop. 1t is said be of the largest collections
in the world. and some of the programmes date
as far back as the seventeenth century There Is
sr,,-,Io- -.
OF the two thousand photographs number are or
special interest TO the dead game sports VINO
admire the manly art" There are also many
curious prints OF old theatres
The collection Of programmes was gathered by
these oldtime actors in the Of forty Of
travelling ION the road" Many were picked up
al second hand book stores, others gathered
from the theatres in various towns and cities.
bought from private collectors, and
many Of the oldest found in Europe IN 1862 by
w ]. Thompson in old book stores. barrooms and
other resorts of English actors. Many valuable
programmes were given to him on this trip
considerable number has since been disposed Of to
collectors A frequent patron Of the shop is Evert
Jansen Wendell. who has one of the finest private
collections Of theatrical photographs I'm this
four years ago in a railroad accident on the way
tc the Pacific Coast: The train caught fire near
Destroyed.
When George ". Thompson founded the Elks.
more than a generation ago. in Military Hall. II
grew out Of a hospitable organization known
the Jolly Corks. AS the first Exalted Ruler he
visited every lodge in this country and made many
friends by reason OF his social qualities. At the
time OF his death he member OF Detroit
Lodge. No. 81. lie and his brother began their
theatrical career together the stage OF the old
Chatham Theatre. playing minor parts. At differ
ent times they played small parts with Edwin
Forrest. Wilkes Booth Frank Chanfrau. Edwin
Eddy and John r. Scott. They also appeared In
Adah Isaacs Menken's original production OF
.Mazeppa" az the old Bowery George w. Thomp
sons last appearance in the Bowery Theatre
was in Griffith Gaunt' His last appearance on
the stage was In a German comedy part, at the
Park Theatre, Brooklyn. with Katie Emmett
which he had played for five seasons W j.
Thompson's last engagement was also with Katie
Boy in which ne created the part of Macready.
the Crushed Actor.
Since the warm weather set in there has been
no more popular spot within the limits Of the
built up sections OF the borough than the green
Hill between Saratoga and Hopkinson aves..
Pacific and Dean SITS. which affords a fine view
of Jamaica Bay and Coney Island. Like the
famous wheat hin of WILLIAMSBURG. IT IS Ia
vorite resort OF those who appreciate the breeze
from the water. On last Friday evening when
the thermometer downtown indicated 50 degrees
there were over two hundred couples on the hin
at midnight
Il was A question with the people CT St. Tirno-
thy's Episcopal Church whether they should give
up taking part this year in the Sunday school