Agatha Christie – Spider’s Web – Original 1954 Press Photograph with Savoy Theatre Programme – Margaret Lockwood

Description

A particularly significant original black-and-white press photograph of Agatha Christie, dated 13 January 1954, issued to announce her new stage thriller Spider’s Web and the selection of Margaret Lockwood for the leading role.

The photograph measures 20.4 × 14.2 cm and shows Christie seated at a table in London, wearing spectacles, hat, necklace and a large decorative brooch. It is an excellent informal portrait of the author, but its real importance lies in the surviving contemporary caption on the reverse.

The original typed press caption is headed:

“MISS AGATHA CHRISTIE.”

It states that Christie was photographed in London that day and records:

“Miss Agatha Christie, who has written a new thriller ‘Spider’s Web’, for the West End stage. Margaret Lockwood has been chosen to play the lead.”

The caption is dated:

13/1/54

and marked:

“FOR USE WITH LONDON LETTER”

This precise dating is exceptional. Spider’s Web did not receive its first performance until later in 1954, so the photograph records the play at the announcement and pre-production stage, before audiences had seen it and before its subsequent West End success.

The reverse also retains a Shields Gazette Library stamp and manuscript archive markings, establishing the photograph’s contemporary newspaper provenance.

The Birth of Spider’s Web

Spider’s Web was written specifically with Margaret Lockwood in mind. Agatha Christie’s official site confirms that the play was written at Lockwood’s request, with Christie creating the central role of Clarissa Hailsham-Brown for her.

The present photograph dates from 13 January 1954, making it unusually early documentation of the project. At this stage the press was announcing merely that Christie had written a new thriller and that Lockwood had been selected to star.

The play received its first performance at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham, on 27 September 1954, before touring and subsequently transferring to London’s Savoy Theatre in December 1954. It became one of Christie’s greatest theatrical successes, running for 774 performances according to Agatha Christie Limited.

At the time, Christie was enjoying an extraordinary period of theatrical success. The Mousetrap and Witness for the Prosecution were already running, and the arrival of Spider’s Web resulted in three Christie plays appearing simultaneously in London’s West End — an achievement highlighted by Agatha Christie Limited.

Original Savoy Theatre Programme

Accompanying the photograph is an original Savoy Theatre programme for the West End production of Spider’s Web.

Its striking blue-grey cover announces:

PETER SAUNDERS presents

Margaret Lockwood

in

Agatha Christie’s
SPIDER’S WEB

and credits Wallace Douglas as director and Michael Weight with the décor.

The programme therefore provides an excellent physical complement to the January 1954 photograph: the photograph documents the announcement of the play, while the programme records the production after it had reached the West End.

Original programmes survive and are collectible, although in themselves they are not exceptionally valuable; a current example of the 1954 Savoy programme is offered on eBay at £5. Its importance here is principally contextual, because it completes the narrative established by the press photograph.

A Particularly Strong Christie Association

This is considerably more interesting than an undated portrait of Agatha Christie.

The photograph can be securely placed at a specific moment in her theatrical career:

13 January 1954 – Spider’s Web newly announced; Margaret Lockwood selected for the lead.

The production would not open until September and would not reach the Savoy until December.

It therefore survives as an original contemporary artefact from the genesis and publicity history of one of Christie’s most successful plays.

The combination has strong crossover appeal to collectors of:

Agatha Christie
Spider’s Web
Margaret Lockwood
Golden Age detective fiction
West End theatre
crime literature
original press photography
theatre ephemera

Condition

Photograph: Good to very good condition for an original working press photograph dating from 1954.

The image remains sharp and well contrasted with good facial detail. There is age-related toning, light surface and handling wear, minor edge wear and some small marks consistent with genuine newspaper-library use.

The reverse retains the original typed press caption, Shields Gazette Library stamp and manuscript archive markings. There is an area of paper loss and staining towards the lower-left portion of the reverse, together with normal archive wear.

Programme: Good condition overall, with age-related toning, handling and edge wear, light marking and small creases consistent with theatre use and age. The original sixpence price/seal tab remains attached at the fore-edge.

Please study all photographs carefully as they form an integral part of the description.

Subject: Agatha Christie
Associated play: Spider’s Web
Star: Margaret Lockwood
Press photograph date: 13 January 1954
First stage performance: 27 September 1954
West End theatre: Savoy Theatre, London
Producer: Peter Saunders
Director: Wallace Douglas
Photograph size: 20.4 × 14.2 cm
Photographer: Uncredited
Provenance: Shields Gazette photographic archive
Format: Original black-and-white press photograph with original Savoy Theatre programme
Modern reproduction: No

Authenticity

The photograph has been handled, inspected and catalogued in-house at Hornseys.

Its identity, date and association with Spider’s Web are supported directly by the original contemporary caption dated 13 January 1954, explicitly naming Agatha Christie, the new play and Margaret Lockwood.

The accompanying original Savoy Theatre programme provides further contemporary material directly relating to the production.

Why Buy From Us?

At Hornseys, we only offer items that meet the highest standards of quality and authenticity. Our collection of prints and photographs is carefully curated to ensure each piece is authentic.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Authenticity and Provenance: Every photograph is researched, collated, and verified for authenticity.
• Expert Curation: Each photograph is selected with a keen eye for historical significance, condition, and rarity, ensuring a collection that is both diverse and distinguished.
• Customer Satisfaction: We strive to provide an exceptional customer experience, from detailed descriptions and provenance to secure and prompt delivery of your purchase.
• Returns Policy: We offer an unconditional guarantee on every item. If you wish to make a return, items may be sent back to us within fourteen days of receipt for any reason. We request advance notification of returns, and items must be returned in the same condition as sent for a full refund.

Explore Our Collection:
Visit Hornseys to explore our fine collection of rare and antique prints and photographs. Whether you are an avid collector or looking for a unique historical piece, our selection offers something truly exceptional. Located in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, our Ripon gallery has been a haven for art enthusiasts, historians, and collectors since 1976.

Thank you for looking.