61 C41 M813 Hi
Acquired February 2024
“A sequel to British Museum Satires No. 11292, illustration to a similar broadside. The Duke of York rises from his chair, greatly distressed at the paper which he holds: Charges against the Duke. He wears uniform, his hat and sword on the ground, the sword broken at the word Ho/nor inscribed on the blade. Two women (right) watch him furtively; one is intended for Mrs. Clarke, the other for Miss Taylor, who holds a purse. On a table by the Duke are papers: Paid to Mrs Clarke 1500, 6400, 1100, 1600, and Sir Dd Dundas Commander in Chief.'”–British Museum online catalogue.
809.04.00.02++
Acquired March 2024
A collection of 256 mostly British satirical prints and broadsides commenting on the scandalous relations between Queen Caroline and King George IV including those commenting on the “Queen Caroline Affair” of 1820, purportedly assembled by William Gladstone and mounted in chronological order in two albums. Many of the prints and broadsides are annotated apparently in W.E. Gladstone’s hand, with the exact month and date of publication and the identities of the person being satirized. Later pencil annotations have been added to mounting sheet along with extracts from the description of the print from the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, these later annotations probably added by the 20th-century owner of the volumes, Ernest R. Gee.
Folio 724 835G (Oversize)
Acquired February 2024
A watercolor drawing of a scene in Westminster Hall with three judges presiding over a crowded courtroom.
Drawings D574 no. 7 Box D205
Acquired March 2024
Mrs. Lloyd Gibbon was a maker of stays who was granted a patent in 1801.
File 66 825 G439
Acquired July 2023
“Two designs placed side by side, the title so arranged that ‘The Contrast’ applies to both, the first four and last two words to the two designs respectively. [1] A scene outside Jaffa where the French flag flies from a fort on a rock at whose base are hospital tents (left), in which the sick can be seen. In the foreground Napoleon (a poor portrait) points with an imperious gesture to a bottle of ‘Opium’ in the hand of a distressed doctor in civilian dress. He says: “Don’t talk to me of Humanity & the feelings of a generous heart, I say Poison those Sick dogs they are a burthen to me, & can no longer fight my Battles!!! I say destroy them – As for those Turks, them up in the Garrison, turn all the Guns upon them, Men, Women, & Children & blow them to atoms, they are too bold & resolute for me to suffer them to live, they are in my Way.” In the middle distance (left) is a body of Turks, their arms tied behind them, guarded by a French soldier who points at Napoleon. Behind Napoleon two French officers exchange glances, acutely dismayed at the orders.” … [2] Two black soldiers, in neat regimentals, prepare to kill three haggard French officers. One raises an axe to smite a bound prisoner. Two British officers (left) interpose with outstretched arms; one says: “We know they are our Enemies, & yours, & the Enemies of all Mankind, nevertheless Humanity is so strongly planted in the Breast of an Englisman [sic], that he can become an humble beggar, for the lives, even of his enemies, when they are subdued.” The other adds: “A mercy unexpected, undeserved surprises more.”–British Museum online catalogue.
On the verso are newspaper clippings on a variety of topics: Sir Lionel Darell and the benevolence of the King to grant him land for his greenhouses in Richmond Park; “Observations on the rot of sheep”; Poem entitled “Leamington Spa”; “Balloon Ascension” an extract from a letter from Bristol, dated Sept 26.; an report of the death of Simon Southward, a miller who was a prisoner for 43 years for debt and the delusion of being the Earl of Derby.
804.01.13.01+
Acquired February 2024
“Pitt (left) and St. Patrick (right) bestride bulls whose horns are locked in combat, their noses pressed together; the bulls are similar, but the Irish animal is sturdier, its head heavier, its tail erect. Pitt wears armour with a plumed helmet and a cloak. He holds a baton and says: “Never fear St Patrick all will be yet very well they are a little restive at first but they will take to it, kindly enough bye and bye – I’ll warrant you.” St. Patrick, wearing a tiara and holding a crozier, says: “Pon my Conscience I don’t know what you call it but the duece of any thing like an Union do I see except their horns being fastened together”. Pitt’s cloak and St. Patrick’s robe fly out, as if the two had been riding rapidly towards their impact.”–British Museum online catalogue.
801.01.00.01+
Acquired February 2024
53 C599 S809
Acquired April 2024
“A man on horseback riding to left and pointing ahead of him with his whip, accompanied by a man on foot who carries a gun and gestures with his hat at a globe, palette and dividers on the ground in the foreground; classical ruins and a large building in the background.”–British Museum online catalogue.
765.00.00.98+
Acquired February 2024
The Queen, grossly caricatured, sits on a zebra which stands in a round band-box with a hinged and upturned lid inscribed ‘a Present from Bart. Bergami’. The zebra has the (profile) head of Wood, looking with greedy and imbecile satisfaction towards a sieve of food inscribed ‘Garden of St Cath[erine]’. This is held out by two hands projecting from the right margin. The Queen, with a grin both calculating and insane, sits full-face, negligently holding reins attached to Wood’s mouth, her right hand on her hip. She sits in a smaller (bottomless) band-box which surrounds her entirely from just below her large waist down, with only one leg extended below. She wears a décolletée dress; on her head is an erection of feathers and flowers rising from a circlet inscribed ‘Wood’. An owl (cf. British Museum satires no. 14199) flies by her head. In the background is Brandenburgh House, in front of which is a braying ass.
821.00.00.23
Acquired October 2023