Grant, C. J. (Charles Jameson), active 1830-1852, printmaker
Published / Created:
[approximately 4 January 1835]
Call Number:
835.01.04.01++
Image Count:
1
Resource Type:
still image
Abstract:
A series of unconnected caricature vignettes. The centre of the print is dominated by a large set of scales - a well-established symbol within the English satirical canon - which are weighted heavily towards the side containing 659 “£10 voters”, as opposed to the 36 well-dressed gentlemen of the “close packed corporation”. Beneath the scales a tubby gent in a bicorn hat tries to correct this imbalance by helplessly tugging at a rope. The multiple punning references to oaks are reinforced by the image of a dying tree stump, which Grant had given a human face, that looks miserably on from the background whilst a vulture, or some other bird of prey, circles above it menacingly. In the bottom left-hand corner two men, an undertaker and a man carrying the trappings of a pharmacist, stand in conversation. The apothecary, with a face that appears to be hideously scarred by smallpox; above stands a huge wheel of cheese, out of which crawls a figure. The rest of the print is covered by a motley collection of characters including 'Teddy the Mower' - a hobo who carries an official mace that's been turned into a scythe, 'Turn Again Dick' - A two-faced politician who advocates reform but also brandishes an article written for the Tory press, 'A German Duck' - A grotesquely overweight and featureless figure that has a dead bird hanging out of his coat pocket and the unnamed figure of an auctioneer. The print refers to the campaign for the 1835 general election campaign that began in Bury St Edmunds. The multiple references to 'oaks' relate to a prominent local banker by the name of James Henry Oakes, a staunch Tory supporter, who used his considerable wealth to pack the town Corporation with placemen who would deliver the policies he wanted. It is possible that the portly figure who is attempting to pull the scales back in favour of the “Close Pack'd Corporation” may be James Henry Oakes himself, although the character bears no resemblance to the 1839 portrait of Oakes held by the National Gallery. See British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Six hundred fifty-nine to thirty-six!!
Description:
Title from text within image.
Publisher:
Published by the Society for the Suppression of Conservative Vice, & sold by all Lovers of Reform of Abuses & to be had of E. Birchenall [i.e. Birchinall], Churchgate St., Bury
Title from caption below image., Publication date from local card catalog record., and Text below title: If it is really a genuine piece of antiquity, it is worth five hundred pounds, but if modern, not more than five pounds.
Title from heading above central image., Numerous images on sheet, some individually captioned., Caption below central image: The artist who gives his time to drawing in albums is like a mishipman upon half pay who gets nothing a day & finds himself ..., and Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
A French man stands in profile to the right in front of his upturned chair, his hand on his protruding belly as if in pain, as an older woman sits at the table refilling his tea cup. A young woman stands behind the woman at the table, smiling behind a fan as she looks at the visitor. An older man sits at the table amused at the French man's distress. A dog drinks from a saucer under the table. The party is in evening dress, the curtains drawn, and a chandelier of four gas lamps hangs over the square tea-table laid with the tea service and tray
Alternative Title:
English manners and French politeness
Description:
Title etched above image. and Below image, five lines of text: A Frenchman not aware of the custom, constantly returned his cup without the spoon in it, which being immediately replenished by thelady of the house, he thought it a point of politeness to drink the contents which he continued to do, to the great surprise of the company until he perceived the lady pouring out the 14th cup, when he rose in great agony and cried, Ah! Madame excuse me I can take no more.
Publisher:
Pubd. by Thos. McLean, 26, Haymarket
Subject (Geographic):
England.
Subject (Topic):
Eating & drinking, Etiquette, Foreign visitors, French, Manners and customs, and Tea parties
Title from heading above image., Caption below image: Ah you beauty! I say my dear do you think your husband will be out late to night?, Sheet trimmed with some loss of imprint., and Sheet trimmed within design.
Publisher:
Pubd. by T. McLean, 26 Haymarket and Ducôté & Steven's lithogy., 70 St. Martins Lane
