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".
Alternative Title:
Another bubble burst!
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., and Mounted on modern white card stock.
Publisher:
Pubd. May 1827 by S. Knights, Sweetings Alley, Royal Exchange
Subject (Geographic):
Thames Tunnel (London, England), England, and London.
Subject (Name):
Brunel, Marc Isambard, 1769-1849
Subject (Topic):
Construction workers, Sightseers, Disasters, Tunnels, and Crowds
"George IV, a crutch under his left arm, takes Wellington's left arm, looking up at him with a pleased smile, which Wellington returns. He says: This is not the only time that you have Lent me a helping hand!! The Duke answers: Proud to be Your ----tys Staff. The King, plainly dressed but with the Garter ribbon and star, has a much swathed gouty leg supported in a sling from the neck. Wellington wears uniform, with orders, white satin breeches, and pumps; on his garter the word Honi is conspicuous. On a table (right) are decanters labelled Brandy and Whiskey."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Print signed using William Heath's device: A man with an umbrella., Date of publication from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Text below title: A friend in need is a friend indeed., and Matted to: 47 x 34 cm.
Publisher:
Pub. by McLean, 26 Haymarket, London
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830 and Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, 1769-1852
Subject (Topic):
Gout, Crutches, Military uniforms, British, and Alcoholic beverages
"The fat, moustached, Duchess of St. Albans and the slim Duke dance with vigour and agility, each poised on the left toe, arms interlaced, and hands meeting above their heads. From the Duchess's small coronet rise giant ostrich feathers which curve above the heads of both and above which a big ducal coronet is suspended. He sings: My Wife shall dance, And I will sing so merry we'll pass this day. She: For I hold it one of the wisest things to drive dull care away. The musicians are two cynical cupids; one (left) sits on large sacks of sovereigns inscribed Cash; coins pour from a slit in a sack and lie on the carpet with a banker's money-scoop. He fiddles: Money in both pockets. The other (right), seated on the apex of a huge melon from which a slice has been cut, plays bagpipes: And auld Robin Gray [Coutts] was a gued Old Man to me! with variations."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Sheet trimmed to/within plate mark., and A faint impression on the verso.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
St. Albans, Harriot Mellon, Duchess of, 1777?-1837 and St. Albans, William Beauclerk, Duke of, 1801-1849
Title from caption below images., Design consists of two panels side by side, each individually titled., Companion print of the same title and theme depicting two naval officers, published 28 January 1827 by S.W. Fores., and Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires.
Title from caption below images., Design consists of two panels side by side, each individually titled., and Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires.
Title from caption below images., Design consists of two panels side by side, each individually titled., Companion print of the same title and theme depicting two military officers, published 19 April 1827 by S.W. Fores., and Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires.
Publisher:
Pubd. Jany. 28th 1827, by S.W. Fores, 41 Piccadilly
Title from caption below image., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires.
Title from caption below image., Text below image begins: I believe my lord the action won't lay ..., and Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires.
