Tag Archives: Military Uniforms

Polly & Lucy takeing off the restrictions

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“The Regent, as Macheath, wearing military uniform and heavily shackled, stands between Mrs. Fitzherbert, who kneels at his feet (left) removing his leg-irons, and Lady Hertford (right), who stands beside him taking the fetters from his wrists (inscribed ‘Restri[ctions]’), He sings “How happy could I be with either.” Mrs. Fitzherbert, a long rosary dangling from her waist, says: “The Benediction of His Holiness light on the Defender of Our Faith.” Lady Hertford, sultana-like in a jewelled turban, says: “You heard of the Row & the Rowly Powly Song before Our house the Other Night?!!” Behind and on the right Eldon stands full-face between Perceval and McMahon, who face each other in profile. Perceval, in his Chancellor of the Exchequer’s gown, and holding a brief-bag, says: “The Greys won’t move without their own Coachman tho the Brewer [Whitbread] has offerd his black to do the dirty Work.” Eldon, in a huge wig, holds the Purse of the Great Seal; he says: “We must hire Jobs for the Night Work but we are Pro’ Rogued.” McMahon, in military uniform, has a number of ribbons and stars hanging over his arm; he says: “These Garters & Ribbonds are all returned.” On the wall are two pictures: George Hanger, bestriding his pony (as in No. 8889) with a burly bailiff seated behind him, rides in the direction of a sign-post, with a noose hanging from it, pointing ‘To the Kings Bench’. This is ‘George & his Hanger On, takeing a ride together to a Lodging in Surry’. The other is Sheridan as Bacchus, but dressed as Harlequin (cf. British Museum Satires No. 9916), bestriding a cask of ‘Old Sherry’.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Cruikshank, George, 1792-1878, printmaker.
  • Title: Polly & Lucy takeing off the restrictions [graphic] : vide Beggars opera / G. Cruikshank sulp.
  • Publication: [London] : Published March 1812 by J. Jonhston, 98 Cheapside, [March 1812]

Catalog Record

812.03.00.03+

Acquired February 2024

A congress for peace

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“Plate from the ‘Satirist’, xiii. 193. In the text the title continues ‘. . ., “alias” War’. A satire on the Congress of Prague. Four sovereigns, completely unlike the men in question, in conference. The Tsar sits behind a small rectangular table on which are displayed implements of war in miniature: cannon, pyramids of cannon-balls, muskets, swords, drums, &c., and flags on one of which are fleurs-de-lis. On the left stand the King of Prussia and the Emperor of Austria, on the right is Napoleon. Alexander extends his hands rhetorically, turning to the left, with a puckered scowl, to say to the two Germans: “Come Gentlemen see first if you can agree–if not we’ll all fight!” He has quasi-Kalmuck features, and wears an odd-shaped crown, an ermine-bordered robe, with a jewelled necklace and a Greek cross. Frederick William III, on the extreme left, clutches the hilt of his sword and puts his left hand to his cocked hat as if ready to doff it, he turns to Francis I, towards whom a label issues from his mouth: “I am ready to treat or to fight”; a second label floats to the left, inscribed ‘Infernal Scoundrel’. Francis I, looking distracted, stands directed to the right, legs apart, and in his left hand is his sabre, the blade of which curves over the Tsar’s head, but both hands touch his crown, and he says: “I will wear an independant Crown.” He wears hussar uniform, cloak, sash, and elaborately embroidered tunic and pantaloons. Napoleon, tall and burly, with heavy whisker and aquiline profile, wears a plumed bicorne with tricolour cockade and very tattered uniform leaving his legs almost bare, with one dilapidated jack-boot and one damaged stocking; he has a long sword. He stands aggressively with arms dramatically extended, saying, “My Friends! all we wish is Peace.” A chain is attached to each great toe, which is fastened to the necks of two miserable princes, tiny figures standing between his outstretched legs. One (left), Charles IV of Spain, wearing a crown and robe, grotesquely knock-kneed and despairing, stands full-face. The other, wearing a crown with uniform and sword, stoops in profile, looking up abjectly at Napoleon’s legs. On the extreme right, in the middle distance, is a tall Spanish don, much emaciated, wrapped in a cloak. He looks down with folded arms at a fat British officer beside him, who says: “I ll countenance Austria into our interests.” The Spaniard: “I’ll be damned if I go to meet a Frenchman in Prague, while there is a Frenchman to meet in Spain!!!” Behind them in the background a tiny Napoleon, wearing a grotesque crown and holding a sword, marches downhill at the head of his soldiers carrying flags; he has a melancholy expression and approaches the edge of a precipitous descent.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Brooke, William Henry, 1772-1860, printmaker, artist.
  • Title: A congress for peace [graphic] / Satirist invt. ; W.H. Ekoorb [that is, Brooke] delt. et fecit.
  • Publication: [London] : [publisher not identified], [1 September 1813]

Catalog Record

813.09.01.02

Acquired September 2023

Long faces at Bayonne

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“Napoleon (left) and Joseph sit side by side on low seats or stools, both with a hand on each knee. They have large, elongated heads broadly caricatured (as in British Museum Satires No. 10604, &c.) and look sideways at each other with drawn-down mouths and wrinkled foreheads. Napoleon is in uniform, wearing a feathered bicorne; Joseph wears a crown with Spanish dress, ermine-trimmed robe, and the order of the Golden Fleece. His seat is, very inconspicuously, a commode. At his feet is a sceptre with a scroll inscribed ‘Servata Fides Cineri’. Napoleon says: “A pretty piece of Business we have made of it Brother Joe.” Joseph: “I always told you Nap, what would come of makeing too free with the Spaniards.””–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Williams, Charles, active 1797-1830, printmaker.
  • Title: Long faces at Bayonne, or, King Nap and King Joe in the dumps [graphic].
  • Publication: [London] : Pubd. Augt. 1808 by Walker, No. 7 Cornhill, [August 1808]

Catalog Record

808.08.00.01+

Acquired February 2024

The Hombourg waltz, with characteristic sketches of family dancing!

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Members of the Royal Family at an informal dance, the centre couple being Princess Elizabeth, grotesquely stout, and the Prince of Hesse-Homburg, who grasps her dress, unable to reach her waist.

  • Printmaker: Cruikshank, George, 1792-1878, printmaker.
  • Title: The Hombourg waltz, with characteristic sketches of family dancing! [graphic] / Knahskiurc [that is, Cruikshank] fect.
  • Publication: London : Published May 4, 1818, by G. Humphrey, 27 St. James’s St., nephew & successor to the late Mrs. H. Humphrey, [4 May 1818]

Catalog Record

818.05.04.01

Acquired September 2023

A specimen of Scotch modesty

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“Twelve figures arranged in two rows, each representing Dundas (not caricatured) in one of his capacities, title and words etched above each. [1] ‘A Governor of the Charter House’. He walks (left to right), looking down at a document in his left hand and saying: “How I venerate Charters”. [2] ‘Joint Keeper of the Signet in Scotland’. He holds out his left hand looking admiringly at a signet ring: “a vera pretty Seal ring worth £2000 a Year”. [3] ‘Chancellor of the University of St Andrew’. He sits directed to the left in a high-backed arm-chair wearing academic cap and long gown: “There is great weight and Dignity in a gown and Square Cap.” [4] ‘Patent Printer of the Bible in Scotland’. He sits in dressing-gown, cap, and slippers at a printing-press of the Caxton type, saying: “This printing and composing is vera tedious, but as it brings in about £6000 per Annum I must noe loose sight of it.” [5] ‘Custos Rotulorum for Middlesex’. He sits pompously in a high-backed chair wearing an old-fashioned cocked hat and laced coat, saying: “A little Consequence is very necessary in a custos Rotulorum”. [6] ‘A Treasurer of the Navy’. He sits at a table on which are money-bags and piles of coin, which he is counting: “Ah! this is pretty neat employment I love to count over the Siller.” [7] ‘A Governor of Greenwich Hospital’. He stands, wearing cocked hat and uniform, in profile to the right, right hand on his hip, left hand on the hilt of a sword: “a naval uniform is vera becoming.” [8] ‘A Commissioner of Chelsea Hospital’. He stands with arms folded, wearing cocked hat with military uniform: “As is also that of the Miliatory in due season.” [9] ‘A Commissioner for India Affairs’. He stands with his back to a group of barrels and chests, turning to the right: “What are ye aboot ye lazy loons, why are not these goods shipp’d off for India d’ye mean to do nothing at aw’ for your money.” [10] ‘Governor of the Bank of Scotland’. He stands in profile to the left, ‘chapeau-bras’, one hand thrust under his waistcoat and wearing an old-fashioned wig: “This is what I call snug – vera little trouble.” [11] ‘A Secretary’. He writes busily in profile to the right at a davenport desk: “By my Sawl I care not how many Trades they make me sae that the Siller comes alang with them catch aw things is the rule in Scotland.” [12] ‘An Elder Brother of the Trinity House’. He stands in profile to the left, wearing a gown, bowing, cap in hand: “This concludes for the present my small portion of the Candle ends, and cheese parings” [cf. British Museum Satires No. 9038].”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Cruikshank, Isaac, 1764-1811, printmaker.
  • Title: A specimen of Scotch modesty [graphic] / I.C.
  • Publication: [London] : Published Feby. 5, 1798, by S.W. Fores, No. 50 Piccadilly corner of Sackville Street, [5 February 1798]

Catalog Record

798.02.05.01++

Acquired September 2023

Actor of all work

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“Wellington sits behind a small cloth-covered table flanked by eight other representations of himself, as depicted in recent caricatures, apparently all by W. Heath. The arrangement is evidently that of Charles Mathews’ ‘At Homes’, see British Museum Satires No. 14714, &c., Wellington, like Mathews, being in propria persona at the table. In this guise he wears the robes (indistinguishable from Coronation robes) and collar of the Garter and the order of the Golden Fleece and a (crown-like) ducal coronet; his head is turned in profile to the right. Immediately below him, the head and hands of another Wellington, who is crouching on the floor, project from the tablecloth; he grasps a royal crown, and wears a cap coloured blue and resembling a tam-o’-shanter, but perhaps intended for a coronet. The other Wellingtons, all standing (left to right): [1] A mute as in British Museum Satires No. 15501, in profile to the right. [2] A Grenadier, full-face and rigidly at attention, much as in British Museum Satires No. 15768, but without the musket. [3] A ratcatcher stooping to the left and touching his hat, the cage in his left hand (cf. British Museum Satires No. 15806). [4] Aged and cloaked, wearing spectacles, with bowed head, he clasps a cross in both hands. [5] The old woman in a soldier’s coat of British Museum Satires No. 15721, facing, and apparently in angry altercation with, the seated Wellington. [6] The coachman of British Museum Satires No. 15731, in profile to the left, holding shaft and lash of his whip as if they were the reins of a four-in-hand which he is driving. [7] Wellington in uniform, directed to the left, wearing his plumed cocked hat and holding up with a furtive expression a sword with a damaged blade in a dilapidated scabbard. [8] A mummy-case with an aperture to show Wellington’s head with the forefingers compressing his mouth; below the aperture is the word ‘Mum’. (Apparently from a satire on Wellington’s silence as to his intentions on Catholic Relief until the eve of the opening of Parliament, see British Museum Satires No. 15659.) There is a background of curtains. Cf. British Museum Satires No. 15787.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Heath, William, 1795-1840, printmaker.
  • Title: Actor of all work [graphic] / [man with an umbrella] Esqr.
  • Publication: [London] : Pub. June 15, 1829, by T. McLean, 26 Haymarket …, [15 June 1829]

Catalog Record

829.06.15.01+

Acquired May 2023

Human nature is fond of novelty

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An old officer in uniform with a wrinkled face and carbuncles looks lustfully at a pretty young woman as they walk together on a path, his hand grasping hers.

  • Artist: Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827, artist.
  • Title: Human nature is fond of novelty – Pliny [art original].
  • Production: [England], [late 18th century?]

Catalog Record

Drawings R79 no. 24 Box D146

Acquired June 2023

Mrs. Clarke’s patent extinguisher

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“Mrs. Clarke sits on Wardle’s right shoulder, to place over the head of the Duke of York a giant extinguisher which covers all but his legs and (military) coat-tails. At the apex of the extinguisher is a five-pointed star surrounded by the letters ‘T’ ‘R’ ‘U’ ‘T’ ‘H’. She says: “Beneath this Canopy’s oblivious shade Detected Y——hides his diminished head” On the cone are the inscriptions: ‘Multum in Papvo’ [sic] and: ‘Now Phoenix like, with renovated fire To noble deeds our Army shall aspire Whilst haughty Gaul shall emulate its praise And England round a Woman’s brow entwine the Bays.’ Wardle wears regimentals and sword and is tall and handsome; a letter ‘To Col Wardle’ projects from a pocket.”–British Museum online catalogue.

Catalog Record

809.03.00.09+

Acquired April 2023

A tenth rejected, or, The dandyfied coxcomb in a bandbox

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“A farmyard scene, with a corner of the house on the left. A grossly fat and carbuncled parson on a quest for tithes encounters the farmer’s wife, who runs towards him proffering an open bandbox, with a dangling lid inscribed 10th. A miniature hussar, very dandified in shako and pelisse, stands in it, superciliously inspecting the parson through an eye-glass. The woman, who is plump and well-dressed, wearing apron and bonnet, says: Seeing your Reverence comeing for your Tithes, I have brought you a Tenth. The parson, who holds a large book, Tithe list, and has a chicken in his capacious pocket, answers with a scowl and gesture of refusal: Take it back! take it back! good Woman; I never tithe Monkeys. The little hussar says: Eh! eh! what does that there fellow say? An amused yokel with a pitchfork leans over a gate (left). A cock crows on a dunghill, an ass brays. Corn-sheaves stand in a distant field.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Williams, Charles, active 1797-1830, printmaker.
  • Title: A tenth rejected, or, The dandyfied coxcomb in a bandbox [graphic].
  • Publication: [London] : Pubd. 10th April 1824 by John Fairburn, Broadway, Ludgate Hill, [10 April 1824]

Catalog Record

824.04.10.01+

Acquired January 2022

To the most noble George Marquis of Townshend

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“A mounted officer of the Norfolk rangers, his blued sword drawn, a Tarleton helmet on his head, in green uniform with black facings and silver lace, a sword-belt across his chest and a sash about his waist, other members of the corps exercising in the fields beyond, the colours of the regiment below.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Tomkins, Charles, 1757-1823, printmaker, artist.
  • Title: To the most noble George Marquis of Townshend, the officers and gentlemen of the Norfolk Rangers, this portrait and representation of their uniform is inscribed by the proprietors [graphic] / drawn & engrav’d by Chas. Tomkins.
  • Publication: [London] : Pubd. as the act directs, Decr. 1, 1799, for the proprietors by Egerton, Whitehall, [1 December 1799]

Catalog Record

799.12.01.01

Acquired June 2021