Symptoms of training, or, R- method of colt-breaking [graphic].

Description

Alternative Title

R- method of colt-breaking
Royal method of colt-breaking
A la Chester-field

Creator

Heath, William, 1795-1840, attributed name

Contributor

Fores, S. W., publisher.

Published / Created

[22 April 1821]

Publication Place

London

Publisher

Pub. Apl. 22, 1821, by S.W. Fores, 41 Picadilly [sic]

Abstract

"George IV (right) offers a purse to a pretty young woman in evening dress of theatrical type (right). Through a window (or in a picture) is seen a large signpost, pointing (left) to 'Chester' and (right) to 'Virginia Water' (the Cottage); behind is a race, two jockeys nearing the winning post (right). A large Chinese jar stands on the floor filled with flowers."--British Museum online catalogue

"An early allusion to Eliza Chester, b. 1799, a pretty actress who fascinated the King and according to Huish was appointed Reader to him at £600 p.a."--Curator's comments, British Museum online catalogue

Description

Title etched below image.
Text above image: A la Chester-field.
Tentative attribution to William Heath from the British Museum catalogue.
Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
Five lines of dialogue etched below title: Man, Delightfull [sic] task to rear the tender thought to teach the young idea how to shoot, to pour the fresh Instruction on the mind, to breath [sic] the enlivening spirit, & thus to aid the generous purpose in the glowing breast. Woman, Indeed, indeed, the temptation is so great, the prospect so flattering tis my ambition, not my will consents.
Text at bottom of plate: Plate 1st a series of these subjects will be continued to exhibit the force of example above precept, & to shew the principles of morality emonates [sic] from Great Qui Capet Ille habet.
Watermark: G. Pike 1820.
Window mounted to 34.3 x 23.9 cm, the whole then mounted to 58 x 39 cm.
Mounted on leaf 66 in volume 2 of the W.E. Gladstone collection of caricatures and broadsides surrounding the "Queen Caroline Affair."
Figures of "Miss Chester" and "Geo. IV" identified in ink below image; date "22 Ap. 1821" written in lower right corner. Typed extract of two lines from the British Museum catalogue description is pasted beneath print.

Provenance

Sold by London's Dulau and Company to the New York City bookseller Ernest R. Gee in 1928. Earlier ownership by W.E. Gladstone is suggested by a manuscript note from Dulau formerly laid into the front of the first volume (now in the object file), which states that "These came from the Gladstone Library at Court Hey, Broad Green. The manuscript notes written below the caricatures are in the handwriting of W.E. Gladstone." William Reese Company; February 2024.

Extent