The political cocks

description below

“Two fighting-cocks, with the heads of Napoleon and Pitt, face each other across the English Channel. Napoleon (left) has a large ruff of tricolour feathers and enormously long spurs, but his wings and tail feathers are clipped. His cliff is the higher; he leans forward, saying, “Eh Master Billy, if I could but take a flight over this Brook I would soon stop your Crowing, I would Knock you off that Perch, I swear by Mahomet, the Pope and all the Idols I have ever Worshiped.” Pitt stands on a large royal crown which brings his feet almost to a level with those of Bonaparte; he stands erect, thus towering above his rival; he has very short spurs but a fine tail and wings; he crows: “Tuck a roo – too that you never can do!!!” Below them lies the sea with a fleet of ships in full sail close to the English coast.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Williams, Charles, active 1797-1830, printmaker.
  • Title: The political cocks [graphic].
  • Publication: [London] : Pubd. March 27th, 1803, by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly, [27 March 1803]

Catalog Record

803.03.27.01

Acquired November 2023

Broken gingerbread

description below

“A sequel to British Museum Satires No. 10518, Gillray’s ‘Tiddy-Doll’. Napoleon, haggard and desperate, wearing tattered uniform without the former apron and sword, walks in profile to the left, carrying on his head a large tray. On this stand three gingerbread kings, burlesqued and mutilated, with two queens, a detached head (crowned), and (right) a pile of imperial emblems: crowns, mitre, sceptre, eagle, flag, &c. On the left a bonnet rouge hangs from a staff. In the middle stands an imperial eagle with a tricolour flag to which is tied a broom showing that the contents of the tray are for sale. Napoleon says (with grimly closed mouth): “Buy my Image! Here’s my nice little Gingerbread Emperor & Kings Retail and for Exportation!” Behind him is a tumbledown thatched hovel; over an aperture where more gingerbread figures are displayed is a board: ‘Tiddy-Doll Gingerbread Baker. NB Removed from Paris.’ Above fly three of the (carrion) birds associated in these prints with Elba. Napoleon walks towards the sea; across the water (in France) tiny figures dance holding hands round a white flag inscribed ‘Vivent les Bourbons’ and topped by a fleur-de-lis. Behind them is the gable-end of a rustic inn: ‘The Kings Head New Revived’. A fiddler capers on the edge of the cliff, watching Napoleon.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Cruikshank, George, 1792-1878, printmaker.
  • Title: Broken gingerbread [graphic] / G.H. invt. ; G. Cruikshank fect.
  • Publication: [London] : Pubd. April 21st, 1814, by H. Humphrey, St. James’s Street, [21 April 1814]

Catalog Record

814.04.21.01

Acquired November 2023