Cats castle besieged by the rats [graphic].[approximately 1780?]engThe cats' castle is assaulted by an army of rats; in five scenes with verses belowTitle etched above image.Approximate date of publication supplied by curator. Prints with C. Sheppard's publication line are first known from 1778; see British Museum online catalogue.Sheet trimmed to plate mark.For a variant (later?) state with imprint "Printed & Sold by D. Ash, 27 Fetter Lane, London" and plate number "28" in upper left corner, see British Museum online catalogue, registration no.: 1862,1011.552.For a brief mention of The Lewis Walpole Library impression of this print, see: O'Connell, S. The popular print in England, 1550-1850, page 124.Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires.Temporary local subject terms: Battles: Cats vs. rats -- Spikes on Temple Bar(?) -- Executions -- Food: Cheshire cheese -- Sieges -- Navy -- Ships: 'Royal Rat' -- Castles -- Military camp -- Flag of the rats: Cheshire cheese -- Flag of the cats: Three herring.Window mounted to 20 x 29 cm.