"A show-room in which ladies are being fitted with various types of underclothing, specimens of which hang from the walls. An elderly man of quasi-clerical appearance fits a very fat lady with knickerbockers and braces; he looks over his shoulder at the spectator; from his pocket issues a roll of 'Complieations'. She is the central figure and regards herself with admiration in an ornate wall-mirror which reflects her face. Her stockings are held up by cords issuing from a disk on each hip. A lady and little girl (left) walk eagerly into the room. A shopman offers two false breasts to a wizened knock-kneed hag wearing knickerbockers. On the right a complacent lady in knickerbockers is having her suspenders fastened by a kneeling shopman. Another, seated on a chair, pulls on knickerbockers; other bulky garments to tie at the knee hang on the wall (left). On a shelf are wigs on stands (see BMSat 9313, &c), and from it hang garments having some resemblance to the modern brassiere (or soutien-gorge) to which braces are attached. There are also suspenders. Beneath the design: 'Dr Trussup takes the liberty to acquaint the Ladies, that he has by dint of intense Study, Astronomical . . . [&c. &c] Calculations, Discovered an immense variety, of Convenient, Comfortable, and Captivating Articles for the Ladies, first, his warm & well contrived Drawers, which will in all weathers, keep warm . ... in spite of the rage for thin covering, they are made of flannell, Cotton, fleecy hose & various other commodities . . . Dr Trussupp has from much observation and reflection, prepared commodious Spring Garters [ ? suspenders] . . . . without that banefull ligatue above the Knee, which makes the Ancle so inelligantly thick & Clumsy, also his wonder-full Wigs . . . but above all, his favourite & accommodating Circassian Vests, alias Bosom Friends, which permits free respiration, prevents all pressure on the chest, raises the languid Breast to the appearance of a Juvenile heaving Bosom. . . . NB resolves all sorts of lawful & unlawful Questions .... Casts Nativeties, and in short is the only Man in existance, caperble [sic] of treating on all Subjects in the Habitable World.'"-British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched at bottom of image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Printseller's announcement following publication statement: Folios of caracatures [sic] lent out for the evening., Sheet trimmed to plate mark., Three columns of text below image: Chevr. [sic] Trussup takes the liberty to acquaint the ladies that he has by dint of intense study, astronomical, geographycal, clerical ..., Cf. No. 9456 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 7., and Temporary local subject terms: Female dress: poking hat --
Publisher:
Publish'd Sepr. 1st, 1799, by S.W. Fores, No. 50 Piccadilly
