A phantasmagoria, or, A review of old times

see description below

“A magician stands full face with uplifted sabre held over the heads of two figures from the past whom he has called up, and who stand within a magic circle. He displays them to their modern descendants, a tall stout Frenchman plainly dressed, wearing cocked hat and military boots, who stands with his arm on the shoulder of a thin, wretched, shambling, Englishman, small, ugly, and foppish, his hand thrust through an empty pocket. The magician has a beard, but features, cocked hat, consular dress, and sabre indicate Napoleon. He asks: “Are you satisfied Gentlemen?” The apparitions (left) are a grossly obese Englishman in old-fashioned dress, a cane hanging from his right wrist, and an ugly, tall, cadaverous, and foppish Frenchman holding a snuffbox. They say, respectively: “Is that my Grandson Jack? what a skeleton!!!”; “Ah mon Cousin, vat you eat de Beef & Plum Pudding!!” Their surprised successors exclaim: “Bless me! why I am a mere Stump of a man to him!!! and viable my Cousin look like de Frog & John Bull look like de Ox but Grace a Dieu times are Changed!!” Beside the magician are symbols of his art: a globe, a crocodile, a scroll, a skull. Within the circle and beside the French apparition is a frog.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Cruikshank, Isaac, 1756?-1811?, printmaker.
  • Title: A phantasmagoria, or, A review of old times [graphic] / I. Ck.
  • Publication: London : Pub. by T. Williamson, N. 20 Strand, London, March 9th, 1803.

Catalog Record

803.03.09.01+

Acquired March 2021

The Flushing phantasmagoria, or, Kings conjurors amusing John Bull

lwlpr34626 (1024x775)

“A ‘conjuror’ or magician displays to John Bull on a screen four scenes, one below the other, representing the expedition to Flushing. He wears a conical hat with a wide fur brim, and his magician’s robe resembles that of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, indicating Perceval; he holds a long staff or wand topped by a little head, that of Portland, grinning; it is labelled The Old One. John stoops to look through a telescope inscribed Patent directed at the screen, the vision on which is projected by a small dark-lantern held by Perceval. John is a yokel in a smock; beside him lies his cudgel inscribed Oak. He is highly delighted at what he sees, namely: [1] a fleet leaving England, tiny figures being indicated on the shore. [2] Ships bombarding and soldiers attacking a fortified town which is on fire. [3] The garrison of the town surrendering to British officers, with grenadiers drawn up at attention. A French officer holds out the keys of the town to Chatham, one of whose staff is in Highland uniform. Two tricolour flags are being laid down by fat Dutchmen in French uniforms. [4] British troops being landed from a man-of-war; wounded soldiers are being carried up the beach.” –British Museum online catalogue

  • PrintmakerWilliams, Charles, active 1797-1830, printmaker.
  • TitleThe Flushing phantasmagoria, or, Kings conjurors amusing John Bull [graphic] / Heath.
  • Publication[London : Pubd. Septr. 1809 by Walker, No. 7 Cornhill, September 1809]

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

809.09.00.01+

Acquired May 2016

 

This is to give notice to the nobility and gentry, that the famous Mr. Zucker …

lwlpr32606 (691x1024)

First line: I. He will cut off a pigeon’s head with a sword by only drawing the sword through the pigeon’s shadow in the looking-glass

  • TitleThis is to give notice to the nobility and gentry, that the famous Mr. Zucker is just return’d from abroad … These amazing feats consist in a delightful amusement of skill of the eye, hands, and table, never seen in these kingdoms before, and are as follows … .
  • Publication :[London : Publisher not identified, 1761]

Catalog Record

File 66 76- T448

Acquired July 2015