Broadside describing the parlour entertainment which swept through the drawing rooms of England and America. Together with two printed ‘sensitive’ leafs, of a Chinese man and a Koi carp.
File 66 815 C539
Acquired October 2024
Text printed in two columns within Greek key pattern border. Thee twelve numbered stanzas of verse describe the life of a newsman in mock heroic terms. The lines begin by way of an apology: Kind sirs! I hope you will excuse this tribute of a newsman’s muse …
File 66 831 Ad242
Acquired October 2024
File 646 825 T865+
Acquired November 2024
A handbill presumably issued shortly after Napoleon’s abdication and exile to St. Helena in April 1814.
With a woodcut illustration of a winged devil at head.
File 82 814F
Acquired August 2024
A spoof advertisement in the form of a playbill, a satire on the Pitt government and the war with France.
File 63 795 In35+
Acquired April 2024
Folio concert bill, for one of a number of benefit concerts for Callcott (1766-1821), whose ‘significance is twofold: as one of the greatest and most prolific English glee composers, and as a musical theorist. In addition, as is clear from all contemporary accounts, he was held in high esteem and regarded with great affection by all who knew him’ (Oxford DNB).
File 66 815 D756++
Acquired October 2024
Broadside advertising a menagerie of human and animal curiosities from the Caribbean and South America.
Also advertising … “Likewise the much admired curiosity the spotted Indian Youth [John Bobey], born of Black parents in Jamaica, … Likewise the surprising animal the armadillo, or real hog in armour …
File 63 795 N338
Acquired May 2024
Includes a woodcut illustration at head of text depicting the conjoined twins, with text “Elisa and Mary Chulkhurst” above and “Biddenden” below; ornamental border.
File 66 811 Sh559+
Acquired June 2024
“Illustration to a broadside, printed in four columns in the manner of a newspaper, and covering the upper part of the third and fourth columns. A whole-length portrait of Mrs. Clarke (unrecognizable, but alluring), standing with one hand on the head of a sofa. In the background are four oval bust portraits of other women: ‘Miss Taylor’ [see British Museum Satires No. 11229], ‘Mrs Carey’ [see British Museum Satires No. 11050], ‘Miss Gifford’, and ‘Mrs Shaw’. … The text, in eight chapters, is in the quasi-biblical language not uncommon in satires, e.g., British Museum Satires No. 6465, and afterwards exploited by Hone. The text is an account of the relations between the Duke of York and Mrs. Clarke, and the Parliamentary proceedings, highly flattering to Wardle and Burdett. It ends: ‘And behold he [the Duke] walketh in a vain shew, which shall fade in the sight of the people, whilst the fame of Wardle, Whitbread, and Burdett shall flourish and endure . . . the tergiversation of the Black Coats may whiten his honour [see British Museum Satires No. 11269], but who can believe him innocent of folly, vice, and acknowledged adultery? … Now the rest of the Acts of Mary Ann Clarke, … are they not written in the Chronicles of Blue Covers which flutter on the Stalls.'”–British Museum online catalogue.
809.03.00.10++
Acquired March 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