The matter reversed

“The Duchess of Devonshire sits astride a galloping fox, her face to its tail. A signpost by the fox’s head points (left) ‘To Cuckolds Hall’; on the top of the post is a pair of horns. The Duchess wears a hat trimmed with ostrich feathers and with a ribbon inscribed ‘Fox'”– British Museum online catalogue.

• Title: The matter reversed, or, One good turn deserves another [graphic].
  
• Publication: [London] : Pubd. May 24, 1787, by J. Notice, Oxford Road, [24 May 1787]

Catalog Record 

787.05.24.02+

Acquired October 2018

Desespoir des ennemis de la France….

A political cartoon with 42 bust caricatures of members of a conspiracy discovered by no. 1 “La Vigilance du Gouvernement Français”, a rooster or the Gallic cock, depicted at top center, holding “Correspondance de Mr. Draque – Ambassadeur de la Cour Britannique &c. &c.”

• Title: Desespoir des ennemis de la France a la découverte de leurs complots.
  
• Publication: [France?] : [publisher not identified], [1804]

Catalog Record

804.00.00.20++

Acquired March 2018

Noscitur ex naso

“Whole length caricature portrait of a man sitting on a four-legged stool in profile to the right. He has a large sharp nose. In his left hand he holds a paper inscribed “Newgate Contract”. On the ground are two papers, one inscribed “To Mr Nic”, the other, “Speech agt City Place Bill”. He is plainly and neatly dressed, his wig in a tight pigtail queue.”–British Museum online catalogue.

• Title: Noscitur ex naso [graphic] : nosee nosee / J. Iremonger inv.
  
• Publication: [London?] : [Publisher not identified], [ca. 1780]

Catalog Record 

780.00.00.161

Acquired April 2018

The man wot drives the sovereign

“Wellington stands in profile to the right, dressed as the driver of a mail-coach, holding his whip and (as way-bill) a paper resembling the ‘Gazette’, headed ‘Bill’ [i.e. for Catholic Relief]. His (gloved) left hand touches the broad brim of his hat. He wears a triple-caped greatcoat, tight at the waist, over tightly strapped white trousers, and is smart and erect, in contrast with his rival, see British Museum Satires No. 15736.”–British Museum online catalogue.

• Printmaker: Heath, William, 1795-1840, printmaker.
  
• Title: The man wot drives the sovereign [graphic] / [man with an umbrella] Esq.
  
• Publication: [London] : Pub. April 1829 by T. McLean, 26 Haymarket, [April 1829]

Catalog Record

829.04.00.15+

Acquired June 2017

The man wot drives the sovereign

Wellington stands full-length in profile to the left, dressed as the driver of a mail-coach, holding his whip in his left hand. His (gloved) right hand touches the broad brim of his hat. He wears a triple-caped greatcoat, tight at the waist, over tightly strapped white trousers, and is smart and erect. The speech-balloon above his head reads, “While I hold the Reins (your Honnor) I’ll drive against all Opposition!!!”

• Title: The man wot drives the sovereign [graphic].
  
• Publication: [London] : Pubd. by J.L. Marks, Artillery St., Bishopsgate, London, [ca. April 1829?]

Catalog Record 

829.04.00.13

Acquired June 2017

The party wot drives the sovereign

Queen Adelaide, side-saddle on a horse with a man’s face, Lord Grey, using spurs and a riding crop to press him into the ‘Slough of Despond’, joining other politicians including Wellington. Grey says, ” Don’t drive so hard; you will worry me to death.” A signpost ‘To Reform’ points the other way. A group behind her cry, “Go it, Addy, push him on, don’t let him make any, without he first makes us.”

• Creator: Heath, Henry, active 1824-1850, lithographer.
  
• Title: The party wot drives the sovereign [graphic] / HH [monogram].
  
• Publication: [London] : Published by S.W. Fores, 41 Piccadilly, London, 1832.

Catalog Record

832.00.00.49+

Acquired June 2017

The cad to the man wot drives the sovereign

“Peel stands directed to the left holding a dome-shaped wire cage containing rats; his left hand is on his hip. He wears a small battered hat, once a topper, a collar and stock, patched greatcoat with sheepskin collar and many pockets; loose boots to the calf. A document projects from his coat-tail pocket. Above his head: ‘I turns my hand to any thing now I ketches Rats like winking.'”–British Museum online catalogue.

• Creator: Heath, William, 1795-1840.
  
• Title: The cad to the man wot drives the sovereign.
  
• Published: [London] : Pub. … by T. Mcfat, 26 Strawmarket [i.e. T. McLean, 26 Haymarket], April 1829.

Catalog Record

829.04.00.16+

Acquired June 2017

The theatrical atlas

Kean as Richard III, directed to the left, stands on a large volume with the word ‘Shakespear’ written on the top edge. Resting on his head and humped shoulders is a model of Drury Lane Theatre, a massive block, inscribed ‘Whitbreads Intire.’ On the roof is poised an ugly figure of Fame, blowing through a trumpet ‘Puff Puff Puff’, and holding behind her a second trumpet, from which issue the words ‘Puff Puff P’. In front straddles a tiny Whitbread, his legs and arms projecting from a cask which forms his body; he says: “Now by St Paul the work goes bravely on” (altering Richard’s words from ‘this news is bad indeed’). Kean stoops, leaning on a cross-hilted sword, inscribed ‘A Keen supporter’; he has misshapen bandy legs. He says: “Well, as you guess.” He wears an ermine-bordered cap encircled by a crown, slashed doublet and trunk hose, a sleeveless coat bordered with ermine and embroidered with a (Yorkist) rose, with flapped and spurred boots. (The figure, with the position of the arms altered, is a travesty of J.J. Hall’s portrait of Kean interrogating Stanley on the approach of Richmond. The costume is correct.) The stage is indicated by curtains flanking the design. In the background are clouds of smoke.–Adapted from British Museum.

• Printmaker: Cruikshank, George, 1792-1878, printmaker.
  
• Title: The theatrical atlas / G. Cruikshank fec.
  
• Published: [London] : Pubd. by H. Humphrey, St. James’s Street, May 7th, 1814.

Catalog Record

814.05.17.01+

Acquired June 2017

The whole truth, or, John Bull with his eyes opened

Caricature with Queen Caroline (left) as Lady Macbeth in the mad scene, standing in the street before two shops; she holds a candlestick raised in her right hand as she holds out her dress with her left hand, looking down horror at her skirt which is decorated with three panels with images of men and labeled “Man B”, “Austi”, “Sapio”, “Mat …”, and “Bat”. The initials “C.B” are embroidered on the trim of her knickers. Standing to her right is an astonished John Bull who holds his hat in front of his face, arm extended in horror. The shop on the left is identified by a sign below second story windows with broken glass: Wholesale Dealer in Brass Forges, Ranges, &c N.B. Odd jobs in general. The street level is shuttered, its doors covered in graffiti: Gone away, Gone abroad, Empty, M.T. The one door has a knocker in the shape of a ram’s head. John Bull stands before the second door which stands open as if he has just emerged. The windows are curtained and the building well maintained. The large sign above reads “Time & Common-Sense Occulists. N.B. Films expeditiously removed &c. Below this sign (left) is a pair of large spectacles with the two eyeballs turned towards the shop on the left and a smaller sign (right) that reads “No connexion with the next shop.”

• Printmaker: Lane, Theodore, 1800-1828, printmaker.
  
• Title: The whole truth, or, John Bull with his eyes opened [graphic].
  
• Publication: [London] : Pubd. by G. Humphrey, 27 St. James’s St., Feb. 1st, 1821.

Catalog Record

821.02.01.04

Acquired March 2017

The man of the woods & the cat-o’-mountain

A kitchen scene [with a satire based on the fable of the “catspaw”]. A monkey with Wood’s head squats beside a plump cat with the head in profile of Queen Caroline. She sits gazing at the fire with an eagerly expectant smile. He puts his left hand on her shoulder and takes her right paw which is supported on his knee, looking fixedly at her with greedy expectation. Between the bars of the grate are four chestnuts like large potatoes. These are inscribed respectively: ‘Privileges’, ‘Rights’, ‘Liturgy’, ‘St Catherines’. Beside the grate and attached to a chain is a ‘Kettle of Fish’. Behind the cat is a big trap with steel teeth inscribed ’50 000 per Annum’. Behind it is a dresser, neatly arranged above a cupboard inscribed ‘Lately from St Omers’ [see British Museum Satires no. 13730]. On the dresser are a teapot and butterdish, each with a bust portrait of Bergami, and two cups, inscribed ‘BB’. There are also pans inscribed ‘Hash’ and ‘Stew’, a ‘Tinder’ box and bottle of ‘Brim-Stone’. On the chimneypiece, with other utensils, is a box of ‘Matches’.”–British Museum online catalogue.

• Printmaker: Lane, Theodore, 1800-1828, printmaker.
  
• Title: The man of the woods & the cat-o’-mountain [graphic].
  
• Publication: London : Pubd. by G. Humphrey, 27 St. James’s St., March 27, 1821.

Catalog Record

821.03.27.01

Acquired March 2017