Head and tail, or, A crown piece and a sovereign

lwlpr34593 (1024x740)

“Lady Conyngham, immensely fat, and broadened by inflated sleeves and skirt, walks away from the picture-plane. The King advances from the right and takes her right hand. The back of her head is covered by a large ‘5s.’ piece, showing the reverse or “tail”, with St. George and the ‘Honi Soit’ … inscription. The King’s face is covered with a sovereign, showing the obverse, with his own head, the profile towards the lady, and ‘Georgius IV’… inscription. She wears an enormous high-crowned hat trimmed with loops of ribbon, the brim extending beyond her vast shoulders. He wears a top-hat and braided coat with fur collar, the ribbon of the Garter, and the Golden Fleece, with knee-breeches. Above the design: ‘If thou be a King, where is thy Crown! My Crown is in My heart, not on my head!’ Shakspeare– [“3 Henry VI’, III. i].”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • PrintmakerHeath, William, 1795-1840, printmaker.
  • TitleHead and tail, or, A crown piece and a sovereign [graphic] / Wm. Heath.
  • Publication[London] : Pub. Sep. 30, 1829, by T. McLean, 26 Haymarket …, [30 September 1829]

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

829.09.30.01+

Acquired May 2016

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