The tunnel!!!, or, Another bubble burst! [graphic].

Found In:

Lewis Walpole Library > The tunnel!!!, or, Another bubble burst! [graphic].


16720928

Description

Title
The tunnel!!!, or, Another bubble burst! [graphic].
Alternative Title
Another bubble burst!
Creator
Williams, Charles, active 1797-1830, printmaker
Contributor
Knight, S. active 1805-1841, publisher.
Published / Created
[May 1827]
Publication Place
London
Publisher
Pubd. May 1827 by S. Knights, Sweetings Alley, Royal Exchange
Abstract

A satire: The breech of the Thames Tunnel and its subsequent flooding in May 1827. The visitors to this popular site are shown fleeing in panic as disaster strikes. Water pours into the tunnel from the top left while workers watch in horror and shout warnings. Engineer Marc Brunel, whose tunnelling shield technology was used in the construction of the tunnel, stands on a ladder next to the cascade and exclaims "My hypothesis is gone to the devil". Well-dressed ladies and gentlemen trip over themselves while racing towards the right, with one visitor remarking "If I can get home before this transpires I'll sell my shares immediately", a reference to the South Sea Bubble that is also referenced in the title. Above the speech bubbles of the frantic crowd is a sign on the wall of the tunnel proclaiming "The tunnel being perfectly dry and safe the public are invited to visit it every day Sunday excepted. Admittance one shilling".

Description
Title etched below image.
Attribution to Charles Williams from dealer's description.
Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
Four columns of verse, with two additional lines centered below, etched below title: Old father Thames someday ago, thinkining [sic] he heard a noise below ...
Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires.
Mounted on modern white card stock.
Provenance
Pickering & Chatto; March 2019.
Extent
1 print : sheet 24.3 x 37 cm
Language
English

Collection Information

Repository
Lewis Walpole Library
Call Number
827.05.00.03+

Subjects, Formats, And Genres

Genre
Caricatures and cartoons
Satires (Visual works) England 1827
Etchings England London 1827
Material
etching ; and wove paper hand-colored.
Resource Type
still image
Subject (Geographic)
Thames Tunnel (London, England)
England
London.
Subject (Name)
Brunel, Marc Isambard, 1769-1849
Subject (Topic)
Construction workers
Sightseers
Disasters
Tunnels
Crowds
Subjects
Brunel, Marc Isambard, 1769-1849 > Caricatures and cartoons
Thames Tunnel (London, England)
Construction workers > England > London
Sightseers > England > London
Disasters > England > London
Tunnels
Crowds
England > 1827
England > London > 1827

Access And Usage Rights

Access
Public
Rights
The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.

Identifiers

Orbis Record
14010449
Object ID (OID)
16720928

Tools