Pitt as a peepshow man stands in front of his box while John Bull, drawn here as a simpleton, looks inside. Pitt pulls a string on the box with his right hand and with his left hand pulls a bag from John Bull's pocket. Slung over John Bull's shoulder is a trumpet with a fringed a banner decorated with the royal arms. The flag above Pitt's pagoda-like box reads: "Licensed by authority the Grand Exhibition by moving mecanism or deception of the senses."
Alternative Title:
Billy's raree-show or John Bull enlighten'd, John Bull enlightened, and Billy's rare-show
Description:
Title from item., Attributed to Ansell. Cf. Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 7, no. 9030., A preliminary drawing for print entitled Billy's raree-show or John Bull enlighten'd? Date of production inferred from the publication date of the etching., and Paper that has been oiled possibly to be translucent for the transfer process. Edges are tattered with old folds in the corners.
Subject (Geographic):
England.
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806
Subject (Topic):
Anglo-French War, 1793-1802, John Bull (Symbolic character), and Peepshows
Signed: Don Quixote de la Mancha, Knight of the Lions., At the foot: Given at our sty, No.47, Hay-Market, St. James's; the address of Richard Lee., First published as 'Licence for the guinea pigs to wear powder'., At head of title: (One penny)., In this edition the last line ends: "sty as above"., and For further information, consult library staff.
Publisher:
Sold by R. Lee
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain. and Great Britain
Subject (Topic):
Hair preparations, Taxation, Hairdressing, Equipment and supplies, Toilet preparations, Anglo-French War, 1793-1802, and Finance
Dressed in the garb of a wizard, King George III sits in a chair, arms across his chest holding a long stick in one hand and legs also crossed; his eyes are closed, but he faces the large bust with the head of Pitt, its eyes also closed. The caption below the title continues: "And Friar Bacon made unto himself a head of brass to answer difficult questions and Friar Bacon watched it incessantly day and night, but it skake not a word. At length the Friar with overwatching fell asleep and the people without were much enraged thereat, as the question was an important one, vix. War or peace!!
Description:
Title etched below image., Questionable attribution to Richard Newton from the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Five lines of text below title: And Friar Bacon made unto himself a head of brass to answer difficult questions ..., Watermark: fleur-de-lis., and Mounted to 35 x 39 cm.
Publisher:
Published by W. Holland, No. 50 Oxford St.
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820 and Pitt, William, 1759-1806
Subject (Topic):
Anglo-French War, 1793-1802, Sleeping, and Wizards
