A set of playing cards, or transformation cards, drawn by an unidentified artist, showing caricatured figures; each vignette incorporates the formation of hearts or diamonds into the scene. Some of the cards are numbered or annotated on the backs while others show drafts of other sketches. The set contains only the red suits, cards numbered from one to ten in each, although some numbers are missing and there are multiples of some numbers. Illustrations are also duplicated while others appear not to have been finished. There are no cards with clubs and spades. A number of the cards center on Shakespearean themes, social history, and street scenes (such as courtroom drama, musicians performing, a man in the stocks and, in a few, card playing itself). Some of the scenes depicted on these cards show more ribald, drawing from Macbeth’s Weird Sisters, Twelfth Night, King John, and The Merry Wives of Windsor; several are annotated on the reverse with lines from the plays. Falstaff is featured on several cards. Many of the cards reflect the mores of the period and the contrast between ruling passions and rules of conduct. In one, two men cast judgment upon a pregnant woman; it is annotated on the reverse with a dialogue between a Constable and a Judge. In "Village School" a schoolteacher manages to simultaneously hold a book and pinch a child's ear (nine of hearts). Other subjects include a game of chess (five of diamonds); drinking and smoking in a pub (seven of diamonds); and "Bunbury’s Country Club" (six of diamonds) in which the artist has kept elements from the print (published circa 1788). On the ten of diamonds the artist depicts a game of whist (annotated on the reverse "Can you one?").
Description:
In English., Title devised by cataloger., Some cards annotated and numbered on the verso., and For further information, consult library staff.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
Subject (Topic):
Playing cards, Card games, and Social life and customs
On the platform before the palace of Elsineur, Hamlet tries to shake off the others who restrain him, battling in disbelief to get at the ghost of his father, who stands on the right, in full armour, pointing to the right with his spear. Also depicted are Marcellus and Horatio
Description:
Title from published state in the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C. and Early state with Hamlet's face and hands outlined only.
Publisher:
Publish'd June 24, 1793, by J. & J. Boydell, Cheapside, & at the Shakspeare Gallery, Pall Mall
Subject (Name):
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616., Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616, and Hamlet (Legendary character),
Scene from Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part 3, act 3, scene 1. The Duke and Lord walking with their dogs in the forest of Arden, one turns to look at the figure of Jaques sitting and reading a book at left
Description:
Title devised by cataloger., On verso is an unfinished pencil and watercolor drawing: [Group in classical costume]., and For further information, consult library staff.
Scene from Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part 3, act 3, scene 1. The Duke and Lord walking with their dogs in the forest of Arden, one turns to look at the figure of Jaques sitting and reading a book at left
Description:
Title devised by cataloger., On verso is an unfinished pencil and watercolor drawing: [Group in classical costume]., and For further information, consult library staff.
Title, artist, and date of publication from original oil painting in Victoria and Albert Museum, museum no.: DYCE.80. and Sheet trimmed close to plate mark.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Geographic):
British.
Subject (Name):
Liston, John, 1776-1846, and Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.
"Henry V standing with one hand on the back of his chair, pointing with the other to left at the three traitors Cambridge, Grey and Scroop, who read with horror the news that their conspiracy has been discovered and plead for mercy, while three lords stand watching on the right, the nearest drawing his sword"--Br. Mus. online catalogue
Description:
Title from published state.
Publisher:
Aqua fortis publish'd March 25, 1789 by John & Josiah Boydell, No. 90 Cheapside, London
