File 763 808 N532+
Acquired November 2024
An illustrated handbill describing the execution of Joseph Wall, former Governor of Goree, for unlawful execution in 1782 of Serjeant B. Armstrong. The large woodcut illustration depicts the punishment devised by Wall and shows the victim being whipped by presumably enslaved “black men” described in detail in the verses below.
File 63 802 R425
Acquired March 2024
File 763 802 D795+
Acquired April 2024
Provincial hymn sheet with three hymns published to celebrate the passage of the Slavery Abolition Act August 1, 1834.
File 68 834 F667
Acquired May 2024
Printed handbill; woodcut illustration of ‘The Grand Hotel’ positioned in the center, with letterpress text above and below.
On verso: half page woodcut illustration of a hay-maker in front of a grand house; below, advertising poem for the lottery, entitled ‘The Hay-Maker.’
File 66 808 T627
Acquired March 2024
Engraved broadside poem published shortly after the death of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, father of the future Queen Victoria. The verses also commemorate Princess Charlotte, three years after her untimely death in 1817. With six vignette illustrations: at the top are images of the Duke of Kent, Kensington Palace, and the Duchess of Kent; and at the foot are images of Prince Leopold, Claremont House, and Princess Charlotte.
File 56 C47 820V+
Acquired July 2023
“A Dutch broadside satirising the arrival of William III in England and the overthrow of James II and his Roman Catholic policies; with an engraving showing in the foreground on the right William (7) in armour mounted on the Dutch lion (1), attacking the many-headed Babylonian dragon (2) with his lance. Above William flies the angel of Providence (3). To left, priests and Catholic officials (4) flee, some riding on goats, wolves and asses. The dragon carries the infant Prince of Wales holding a windmill (5) held by Father Petre (6). The lion rides over fallen monks and Jesuits (8) and two decapitated heads of the dragon. In the centre background William is received by English notables (9). To left, James (10) departs in a small boat from a shore with a ruined church; to right; he is received by Louis XIV (11), together with Mary of Modena and the infant Prince of Wales. With engraved title, false publication line “Gisling Geneve exc.”, and numbering 1-10, and with letterpress verses, including legend, in two columns.”–British Museum online catalogue.
688.00.00.01+
Acquired February 2024
Two slip songs printed on one sheet, in two columns, each titled separately. The songs are in celebration of Queen Caroline’s return to England in 1820. The three woodcuts are two crude images of a woman and a small ship.
Printer’s statement from first column. Additional printer’s statement in second column: Pitts, printer and wholesale toy warehouse, 6 Great St. Andrew Street, 7 Dials.
File 53 C292 820Kn
Acquired July 2023
A political satire of Admiral Augustus Keppel (1725-1786), navy officer and politician, and his unfortunate campaign for the seat of Surrey in 1780. The broadside is augmented by the engraved illustration featuring Keppel, his ship HMS Formidable ablaze, and fourteen other figures, all in service of “Merit protected. Persecution repelled. Undue Influence defeated.” The lengthy satirical poem was prompted by the 1780 election for the commons in Surrey. It references his previous courts-martial for his conduct during the Battle of Ushant, and comments on the state of the nation, war, and the economy.
780.11.00.03+
Acquired July 2023
A slip song.
File 56 C47 817F
Acquired August 2022