659 to 36!!

lwlpr32195 (1024x669)

A series of unconnected caricature vignettes. The centre of the print is dominated by a large set of scales – a well-established symbol within the English satirical canon – which are weighted heavily towards the side containing 659 “£10 voters”, as opposed to the 36 well-dressed gentlemen of the “close packed corporation”. Beneath the scales a tubby gent in a bicorn hat tries to correct this imbalance by helplessly tugging at a rope. The multiple punning references to oaks are reinforced by the image of a dying tree stump, which Grant had given a human face, that looks miserably on from the background whilst a vulture, or some other bird of prey, circles above it menacingly. In the bottom left-hand corner two men, an undertaker and a man carrying the trappings of a pharmacist, stand in conversation. The apothecary, with a face that appears to be hideously scarred by smallpox; above stands a huge wheel of cheese, out of which crawls a figure. The rest of the print is covered by a motley collection of characters including ‘Teddy the Mower’ – a hobo who carries an official mace that’s been turned into a scythe, ‘Turn Again Dick’ – A two-faced politician who advocates reform but also brandishes an article written for the Tory press, ‘A German Duck’ – A grotesquely overweight and featureless figure that has a dead bird hanging out of his coat pocket and the unnamed figure of an auctioneer. The print refers to the campaign for the 1835 general election campaign that began in Bury St Edmunds. The multiple references to ‘oaks’ relate to a prominent local banker by the name of James Henry Oakes, a staunch Tory supporter, who used his considerable wealth to pack the town Corporation with placemen who would deliver the policies he wanted. It is possible that the portly figure who is attempting to pull the scales back in favour of the “Close Pack’d Corporation” may be James Henry Oakes himself, although the character bears no resemblance to the 1839 portrait of Oakes held by the National Gallery.

  • PrintmakerGrant, C. J. (Charles Jameson), active 1830-1852, printmaker.
  • Title659 to 36!! [graphic] : great odds for the oak stake / CJG., London, Jany. 4th 1835.
  • Published[Bury St. Edmunds : Published by the Society for the Suppression of Conservative Vice, & sold by all Lovers of Reform of Abuses & to be had of E. Birchenall [i.e. Birchinall], Churchgate St., Bury, ca. 4 January 1835]

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

835.01.04.01++

Acquired September 2014

A conservative angel

lwlpr32196 (1024x667)

Satire against Conservative policies: The ‘Conservative Angel’ top centre brings ‘all Ale to Spirits’, dispensing beer from a tankard marked ‘vote for Lush’. A ‘Nunn at Devotions’ prays for the defeat of radicals and two figures on a wheel are ‘just caught in the Conservative rat trap’. Other figures include Jim Crow, two fish (brother Gudgeon and friend Haddock) jumping for bait, and ‘Don Diego de Carle-os Lie-ing in State’

  • PrintmakerGrant, C. J. (Charles Jameson), active 1830-1852, printmaker.
  • TitleA conservative angel [graphic] / CJG.
  • Published[Bury St. Edmunds] : Published by the Society of Surppression of Conservative Vice & Sold by E. Birchinall, Churchgate St., Bury St Edds., Suffolk, England, Great Britain, Europe, 1837.

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

837.00.00.41++

Acquired September 2014

Grinning at a gudgeon

lwlpr32185 (1024x819)

An angler sitting on the branch of a tree overhanging a river in the rain, open umbrella over his shoulder, peering at a shoal of gudgeon grinning at him just out of reach of his hook.

  • PrintmakerGrant, C. J. (Charles Jameson), active 1830-1852, printmaker.
  • TitleGrinning at a gudgeon [graphic] / C.J. Grant invent & fecit.
  • Published[London] : Pub. for the proprietor by M. Clark, Castle Court, Augt. 19th, 1831

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

831.08.19.01

Acquired September 2014

A general retreat

lwlpr32192 (1024x784)

Political satire: Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) leading his Tory government ministers in flight from its attack on the castle of ‘Reform’ (as inscribed to the Tricolore flag of liberty that flies from the tower).

  • PrintmakerGrant, C. J. (Charles Jameson), active 1830-1852, printmaker.
  • TitleA general retreat [graphic] / CJG.
  • Published[London : Pub. Nov. 18, 1830, by S. Gans, Southampton St., Strand, 18 November 1830]

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

830.11.18.01+

Acquired September 2014

The modern Puritan

lwlpr32191 (1024x685)

A cat is hanging from a tree outside St Luke’s Hospital for Lunatics in Old Street, London, condemned by a man dressed as a Quaker, with a tartan cloak. The on-lookers call him a ‘Merry Andrew’ (i.e. a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior), believing him to be a resident of the building behind (renamed St Andrew’s). The Quaker has a number of petitions and bills under his arm. Between 1830 and 1847 the M.P. for Wigtownshire, Sir Andrew Agnew, introduced four bills to the House of Commons attempting to enforce the better Observance of the Sabbath. On his third attempt Charles Dickens wrote ‘Sunday Under Three Heads’ (1836), a personal attack on Agnew, whom he described as a fanatic, motivated by resentment of the idea that those poorer than himself might have any pleasure in life. Agnew left Parliament in 1837, ending the campaign.

  • PrintmakerGrant, C. J. (Charles Jameson), active 1830-1852, printmaker.
  • TitleThe modern Puritan [graphic] : hanging a cat on a Monday for killing a mouse on a Sunday!!! / C.J. Grant.
  • PublishedLondon : Pubd. by G. Tregear, 123 Cheapside, April 1833.

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

833.04.00.02+

Acquired September 2014

John Bristow, engine-maker,

lwlpr32005 (833x1024)

Letterpress broadside with a hand-colored etched and engraved header illustrating the use of a fire-engine at the site of the Cornhill fire, which occurred on 25 March 1748.

  • TitleJohn Bristow, engine-maker, to all His Majesty’s forts, garrisons, dock-yards and other public offices belonging to His Majesty’s Royal Navy …
  • Published[London : Publisher not identified, not before 1748]

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

File 66 748 J65++

Acquired September 2014