The Generous Master or African Sincerity. a West-India anecdote.
Argus del.t.
London Pub Jan.y 9 1819 by S.W. Fores 50 Piccadilly & 312 Oxford Street.
Etching with hand-colouring, sheet 350 x 245mm (13¾ x 9½"). Trimmed inside platemark and glued to backing sheet; staining and paper tone.
An invalid tells his black servant 'Pompey' that he has made provision in his will for Pompey to be buried beside him in the same tomb. Pompey, however, is horrified at the idea, and worries that because of the darkness in the tomb, the devil might mistakenly take him instead of his master. A rare and interesting image. BM Satires 13193.
[Ref: 41468] £260.00
(£312.00 incl.VAT)
The April Fool consigned to Infamy and Ridicule.
[by Charles Williams]
Pubd April 1st 1801 by S W Fores 50 Piccadilly. Folios of Caricatures lent out for the Evening
Etching with hand-colouring, platemark 280 x 390mm (11 x 15¼"). 18th century watermark. Trimmed to platemark.
The titular April Fool (possibly John James Hamilton, first marquis of Abercorn) stands with his arms around two women, wearing handbands labelled 'Ridicule' and 'Infamy'. On the right a third woman gestures towards the scene, proclaiming 'I have made him a fixed figure for the hand of Scorn to point her slow-moving finger at'. Etching by Charles Williams (1797 - 1830, fl.), prolific etcher of satires from his own designs and those of other artists (especially Woodward). Almost all his plates are anonymous and little work has been done to establish for certain which prints he made. As a result Williams is little-known in comparison with contemporaries such as Rowlandson and Gillray in spite of the comparable quality of some of his work. BM Satires 9776.
[Ref: 46558] £240.00
(£288.00 incl.VAT)
Asses of the Nineteenth Century or the Modern Use of a Coachman. See the Follies of the Watering Places.
Argus del.t [Charles Williams].
Pub.d by C Knight and Sold at No 7 Cornhill [n.d., c.1805].
Scarce etching, printed in brown and hand coloured. 245 x 350mm (9¾ x 13¾"), large margins.
A satire on beach activities: a lady rides an ass on the seashore, with the coachman following behind on a large horse using his whip to keep the ass going forwards. Not in BM Satires but see 1991,0720.64.
[Ref: 56161] £460.00
(£552.00 incl.VAT)
[William Bentinck] Iohn Bull contemplating a Statue of Portland Stone.
[by Charles Williams]
Pub.d April 1807 by Walker N.o7 Cornhill.
Hand-coloured etching. 250 x 365mm (9¾ x 14½'') very large margins. Ink marginalia, printer's crease.
William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland, caricatured as a statue, with a sign saying 'Repaired and Whitewash'd in the Year 1807' around his neck. He became Prime Minister in 1807, despite being deaf, gouty and infirm, merely as an acceptable figurehead to his fractious ministers. BM Satire 10718.
[Ref: 54470] £140.00
(£168.00 incl.VAT)
[William Bentinck] Iohn Bull contemplating a Statue of Portland Stone.
[by Charles Williams]
Pub.d April 1807 by Walker N.o7 Cornhill.
Hand-coloured etching. 250 x 365mm (9¾ x 14½'') Small margins, time stained.
William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland, caricatured as a statue, with a sign saying 'Repaired and Whitewash'd in the Year 1807' around his neck. He became Prime Minister in 1807, despite being deaf, gouty and infirm, merely as an acceptable figurehead to his fractious ministers. BM Satire 10718.
[Ref: 61841] £280.00
(£336.00 incl.VAT)
[William Bentinck] John Bull contemplating a Statue of Portland Stone.
[Charles Williams.]
Pub,d April 1807 by Walker No 7 Cornhill.
Etching with fine hand colour. 250 x 360mm (9¾ x 14¼"), large margins. Album paper pasted over edge of plate at bottom.
William Henry Cavendish Bentinck as a statue sitting in a chair of Portland Stone blocks, a placard: 'Repaird and Whitewash'd in the Year 1807'. On seeing the statue John Bull exclaims 'I really thought this Statue was gone to decay a long time ago!!'. By the time of this caricature Portland, deaf, gouty, and infirm, was a mere figure-head. This example has Portland coloured as a man rather than the intended statue. BM Satires 10718.
[Ref: 58345] £290.00
(£348.00 incl.VAT)
Militia galantry - or The Soldiers cowardly retreat to save his Bacon; at the expence of his fair Inamorata.
[by Charles Williams.
Pub.d 1821 by S.W. Fores Piccadilly corner of Sackville Street.
Coloured etching. 250 x 350mm (9¾ x 13¾") very large margins.
Between signs pointing to Cheltenham and Gloucester, a woman kneels at the feet of Col. Berkeley, a tall handsome man in regimentals, wearing a plumed cocked hat. He holds a flag inscribed Letters to Amuse the Public expose the Writer and save my Pocket; on this hangs a letter-file on which papers are spiked. She begs ''In Pity don't Expose me!''. He says ''They will save me thousands''. A coach of onlookers comment, including ''Where's the Honor of a Soldier and Faith there is none in this''. William Berkeley (1786-18570, 1st Earl FitzHardinge, was sued by coach proprietor John Waterhouse for ''Criminal conversation'' with Waterhouse's wife. Despite the attempts satirised here, Waterhouse was awarded £1000 damages at Gloucester Assizes. The scandal did not stop Berkeley becoming Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire in 1836. BM Satires 14274a, a second state with 'Militia' instead of 'Military'.
[Ref: 54579] £260.00
(£312.00 incl.VAT)
[Elizabeth Billington.] Clara _ a Bavura.
[Charles Williams.]
[Pub.d Jan.y 4th 1802 by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly.
Coloured etching, 18th century watermark. 355 x 240mm (14 x 9½"). Wax stains in top corners of margins. Bit messy.
A full-length caricature portrait of Elizabeth Billington (1768-1818) as Clara in Sheridan's opera 'The Duenna', her second leading part. BM Satires 9914.
[Ref: 58380] £260.00
(£312.00 incl.VAT)
[Sir Francis Burdett] Read - Compare - and - Judge. Or the Freedom of Election Exemplified.
[Charles Williams.]
Pub.d Aug.t 13th 1804 by SW Fores No 50 Piccadilly _ Folios of Caracatures lent out for the Evening.
Coloured etching. Sheet 235 x 340mm (9¼ x 13½"). Trimmed within plate.
A satire in support of Sir Francis Burdett (1770 –1844) in the 1804 Middlesex election against George Boulton Mainwaring (c.1773-1822). Although Burdett won, his return was declared void. BM Satires 10265.
[Ref: 60092] £140.00
(£168.00 incl.VAT)
[Sir Francis Burdett] Genial Rays, or John Bull enjoying the sunshine.
[Charles Williams.]
Tegg's Caricatures 111 Cheapside. Pub.d June 1810 by Tho.s Tegg 111 Cheapside.
Hand-coloured etching. 250 x 350mm (9¾ x 13¾").
John Bull, a fat 'cit', his hat and bludgeon beside him, reclines on his back against a grassy bank covered with roses. He looks up ecstatically to the sky where the profile head of Burdett is enclosed in a circle or sun inscribed 'Clarior e Tenebris'; this is irradiated, the rays illuminating a distant view of London and John himself. These passions set—and the great Patriot shines" The rays are inscribed: 'Magna Charta', 'King and Constitution', 'Loyalty', 'Reform', 'Good of the People', 'Integrity', 'Laws of the Land', 'Trial by Jury', 'Lords', 'Habea[s Corpus]', 'Liberty', 'Candour', 'Justice', 'Truth', 'Freedom of the Pr[ess]', 'Bill of Rights', 'Commons', 'Free Representation'. A circle of clouds is still not entirely dispersed by the rays: on the right they are over the Tower of London and on the left they surround three evil stars: 'Corrupti[on]', 'Imbe[cillity]', 'Democ[racy]'. BM Satires 11563.
[Ref: 63420] £280.00
(£336.00 incl.VAT)
[Sir Francis Burdett] Genial Rays, or John Bull enjoying the sunshine.
[Charles Williams.]
Tegg's Caricatures 111 Cheapside. Pub.d June 1810 by Tho.s Tegg 111 Cheapside.
Hand-coloured etching. 250 x 350mm (9¾ x 13¾"). Large margins on 3 sides. Trimmed to plate at top.
John Bull, a fat 'cit', his hat and bludgeon beside him, reclines on his back against a grassy bank covered with roses. He looks up ecstatically to the sky where the profile head of Burdett is enclosed in a circle or sun inscribed 'Clarior e Tenebris'; this is irradiated, the rays illuminating a distant view of London and John himself. These passions set—and the great Patriot shines" The rays are inscribed: 'Magna Charta', 'King and Constitution', 'Loyalty', 'Reform', 'Good of the People', 'Integrity', 'Laws of the Land', 'Trial by Jury', 'Lords', 'Habea[s Corpus]', 'Liberty', 'Candour', 'Justice', 'Truth', 'Freedom of the Pr[ess]', 'Bill of Rights', 'Commons', 'Free Representation'. A circle of clouds is still not entirely dispersed by the rays: on the right they are over the Tower of London and on the left they surround three evil stars: 'Corrupti[on]', 'Imbe[cillity]', 'Democ[racy]'. BM Satires 11563.
[Ref: 52292] £230.00
(£276.00 incl.VAT)
[Queen Charlotte] A New Mode, of Presenting Two Addresses at once. When Scenes of Affliction, of Sorrow and Pain, Affect our dear Relatives, Neighbours, or Friends [...]
[by Charles Williams.]
Pub.d Feb.y 1818 by S.W. Fores No 50 Piccadilly.
Etching with hand-colour. 250 x 350mm (9¾ x 13¾"). Mounted in album paper at edges.
Satire on Queen Charlotte's response to the death of Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales in 1817. Queen Charlotte (right) was in Bath at the time and received the address of the Bath Corporation (to which she attends here with avid attention) at almost the same time as news of Princess Charlotte's death. A messenger (centre) delivers both pieces of news, Queen Charlotte taking the former and Princess Charlotte's husband Leopold I of Belgium responding to the latter. BM Satires 12984.
[Ref: 63576] £280.00
(£336.00 incl.VAT)
Mother Carey's Chickens. BM these Birds have lately been seen hovering about the Horse Guards.
[by Charles Williams.]
[Watermarked 1803 but printed later.]
Coloured etching. 255 x 380mm (10 x 15"). Mounted in album paper at edges, some toning.
Mrs Cary or Carey releases a flock of fledgling officers with money bags from a sack marked 'Pin Money instead of Allowance', to the disgust of a group of full-size officers, one of whom says 'To waste ones health in unwholesome Climates an then fail of promotion because we cannot fee ****** or Army Agents Agents.!!'. Mrs Cary succeeded Mary Anne Clarke as mistress of Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, after Clarke admitted selling army commissions to support their lavish lifestyle in 1809. This satire suggests that the practice continued. BM Satires 11050, published by Tegg 1808.
[Ref: 54569] £230.00
(£276.00 incl.VAT)
A Clerical Manoeuvre or the Way to Finish a Charity Sermon.
C.W. fecit. [Charles Williams]
Pub.d Nov.r 1.st 1815 by Tho.s Tegg 111 Cheapside.
Hand-coloured etching. Sheet: 245 x 345mm (9¾ x 13½ "). Trimmed within plate, crease in bottom left corner. Time stained.
A clerk takes round the plate collecting donations with a sly smile. The congregation eagerly hasten to contribute handsomely, making various remarks. Despite the parson's insistence that anyone 'not in a state of solvency' should not make a donation, the congregation clearly feel under pressure to do so, borrowing from their neighbour where necessary. BM Satires 16252.
[Ref: 46059] £180.00
(£216.00 incl.VAT)
A Clerical Manoeuvre or the Way to Finish a Charity Sermon.
C.W. fecit. [Charles Williams]
Pub.d Nov.r 1.st 1815 by Tho.s Tegg 111 Cheapside.
Hand-coloured etching. Plate 252 x 349mm (10 x 13¾"). Trimmed to plate; crease.
A clerk takes round the plate collecting donations with a sly smile. The congregation eagerly hasten to contribute handsomely, making various remarks. Despite the parson's insistence that anyone 'not in a state of solvency' should not make a donation, the congregation clearly feel under pressure to do so, borrowing from their neighbour where necessary. BM Satires: 12652.
[Ref: 30569] £220.00
(£264.00 incl.VAT)
A Clerical Manoeuvre or the Way to Finish a Charity Sermon.
C.W. fecit. [Charles Williams]
by Tho.s Tegg 111 Cheapside. [Date of Nov.r 1.st 1815 removed from plate]
Hand-coloured etching. 250 x 350mm (9¾ x 13¾"). Framed. Unexamined out of frame.
A clerk takes round the plate collecting donations with a sly smile. The congregation eagerly hasten to contribute handsomely, making various remarks. Despite the parson's insistence that anyone 'not in a state of solvency' should not make a donation, the congregation clearly feel under pressure to do so, borrowing from their neighbour where necessary. BM Satires 16252.
[Ref: 58386] £230.00
(£276.00 incl.VAT)
[William Pitt the Younger] Johnny MacCree at Confession.
[Charles Williams]
Pubd March 29th 1805 by S W Fores 50 Piccadilly. Folios of Caracatures lent out for the Evening.
Hand coloured etching, 18th century watermark, plate 355 x 250mm (14 x 9¾"). Small margins. Crack in plate at top. Some creasing and staining. Tear in right. Holes in margins and top left corner of the plate mark
William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806) as a monk with a large tonsure, sits in a high Gothic chair. Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville (1742-1811) in Highland dress and holding his feathered bonnet, kneels before him asking for advice. BM Satires 10378
[Ref: 58786] £280.00
(£336.00 incl.VAT)
A Trip to Coventry an Old Dance to a New Figure.
[by Charles Williams]
Pub.d June 2d 1802 by S W Fores Picc[adilly.] Folios of Caracatures lent out for the Eve[ning.]
Coloured etching, 18th century watermark; S.W.F. in ink bottom right; 250 x 400mm (9¾ x 15¾"). Patched hole in publisher's inscription, losing text on bottom right. Small margins
An elderly Lord Coventry, attempts to dance with two young girls, propped up with two walking sticks. BM Satires 9930.
[Ref: 51860] £190.00
(£228.00 incl.VAT)
Coy. But if you meet with one that's forward, Haughty, prudish and untoward, Never play the whining Coward, Let her, Let her go never mind her &c.
C. Williams Delin.t I. Freeman Sculp.t
London, Pub.d May 1. 1813 by S.W. Fores, No.50 Piccadilly.
Coloured stipple, printed in colour. 300 x 204mm. 11¾ x 8". Crease.
A coy young lady evading the prudish advances of a young man.
[Ref: 20146] £180.00
(£216.00 incl.VAT)
Dos a Dos or Rumpti iddity ido. Natural Accidents in practising Quadrille Dancing.
[by Charles Williams.]
London Pub,d May 1817 by S.W.Fores No.50 Piccadilly.
Coloured etching, 19th century watermark. 250 x 355mm (9¾ x 14"). Small margins.
Two dancers collide and glare at each other in surprised indignation. BM Satires 12933.
[Ref: 51873] £260.00
(£312.00 incl.VAT)
The Delights of Love - a Family Catch.
[by Charles Williams.]
[Pub.d Sept.r 4th, 1804 by S W Fores 50 Piccadilly.] Folios of caracatures lent out for the evening'
Coloured etching. 250 x 350m (9¾ x 13¾"). Framed. 'Sept 9 1804' in old ink mss in title area. Unexamined out of frame.
Daughter, mother, and father sit by a small oblong table, singing a catch. Daughter: 'Give me the sweet delights of love / Let not anxious cares destroy them, / Oh how divine still to enjoy them'. Mother: 'Pure are the blessings love bestowing, / Peace and harmony ever flowing.' Father, angrily: 'A smoaky house, a failing trade, / Six squalling brats and a scolding Jade'. BM Satire 10331. See reference 62869 for unframed version.
[Ref: 51853] £290.00
(£348.00 incl.VAT)
The Delights of Love - a Family Catch.
[by Charles Williams.]
Pub.d Sept.r 4th, 1804 by S W Fores 50 Piccadilly. Folios of caracatures lent out for the Evening.
Hand coloured etching, sheet 265 x 370m (10½ x 14½"). Large margins. Laid on archival paper and false margins added.
Daughter, mother, and father sit by a small oblong table, singing a catch. Daughter: 'Give me the sweet delights of love / Let not anxious cares destroy them, / Oh how divine still to enjoy them'. Mother: 'Pure are the blessings love bestowing, / Peace and harmony ever flowing.' Father, angrily: 'A smoaky house, a failing trade, / Six squalling brats and a scolding Jade'. BM Satire 10331. See our reference 51853 for framed version.
[Ref: 62869] £260.00
(£312.00 incl.VAT)
Dismal Dandies, _ or _ General Mourning & Crape.
C.W. [Charles Williams] fecit.
Published by Thos. Tegg, 111 Cheapside, London [n.d., c.1820].
Coloured etching. 350 x 245mm (13¾ x 9¾"). Trimmed to plate, laid on card.
A finely-dressed soldier, with black crèpe adorning his uniform, addresses another: ''Adieu Col! Crape! I’m for Court that’s the place, For exhibiting trappings, and making a Face!!''. Crape, also with black crèpe armband, responds ''And I to Parade! that with my humour chimes For Parade and Paradeing’s the Ton of the Times''. Possibly published for the death of George III in 1820.
[Ref: 54416] £180.00
(£216.00 incl.VAT)
A Naval Enquiry with a Naught-ical Explanation.
[by Charles Williams]
Pub,d March 25th 1805 by S W Fores 50 Piccadilly. Folios of Caracatures lent out for the Evening.
Coloured etching, 1804 watermark, plate 245 x 350mm (9¾ x 13¾") Some creasing. Pinholes in margins. Small margins.
Henry Dundas (Viscount Melville) and Alexander Trotter (Paymaster of the Navy), both in kilts to highlight their Scottishness, being grilled about how Navy money ended up in Trotter's bank account at Coutts. BM Satires 10377.
[Ref: 58787] £290.00
(£348.00 incl.VAT)
[Impeachment of Henry Melville, Lord Dundas] Popular Indignation _ or John Bull in a Rage.
Warren Lee [Charles Williams] Del.t.
Pub,d April 26th 1805 by S W Fores N° 50 Piccadilly. Folios of Caracatures lent out for the Evening.
Fine coloured etching. 245 x 350mm (9¾ x 13¾"). Narrow margins.
John Bull uses a bludgeon and clenched fist to drive a terrified Melville into a fiery pit full of demons, punning that it is the only 'Pitt' open to receive him. Above Pitt's wings are being clipped by 'Constitutional Shears', so he can over Melville no help. To the right Alexander Trotter attempts to enter Coutts Bank with a bag marked 'Naval Office', but a bulldog rips it open, allowing coins and notes to fall to the ground. A satire on the impeachment of Henry Melville for irregular financial dealings as Treasurer of the Navy. BM Satires 10393. See Ref: 61837.
[Ref: 61832] £280.00
(£336.00 incl.VAT)
The Casting Vote or the Independent Speaker.
[by Charles Williams.]
Pub.d April 24.th 1805 by S.W.Fores 50 Picadilly. Folios of Caricatures let out for the Evening.
Hand-coloured etching. Sheet 350 x 245mm (13¾ x 9½''). Trimmed to plate, mounted in album paper to edges.
Charles Abbot, 1st Baron Colchester, Speaker of the House of Commons, decides in favour of Fox, who shouts ''An Abbot D------n me he shall be a Pope''. Pitt supports a fainting Melville. A satire on the controversy regarding the actions of Hendry Dundas (Viscount Melville, as treasurer of the Royal Navy, which led to his resignation and his impeachment trial, the last to be held in the House of Lords). BM Satire 10391.
[Ref: 54468] £160.00
(£192.00 incl.VAT)
A Naval Enquiry with a Naught-ical Explanation.
[by Charles Williams]
Pub,d March 25th 1805 by S W Fores 50 Piccadilly. Folios of Caracatures lent out for the Evening.
Coloured etching. 245 x 350mm (9¾ x 13¾") with wide margins.
Henry Dundas (Viscount Melville) and Alexander Trotter (Paymaster of the Navy), both in kilts to highlight their Scottishness, being grilled about how Navy money ended up in Trotter's bank account at Coutts. BM Satires 10377.
[Ref: 54472] £140.00
(£168.00 incl.VAT)
[Henry Dundas, Viscount Melville] Scotch Harry on his Fast Trotter on a Journey to the North.
Argus [Charles Williams] del.t.
Pub.d April 15th 1805 by C. Knight Lambeth.
Coloured etching. Sheet 235 x 350mm (9¼ x 13¾"). Trimmed within plate on three sides. Some paper toning.
Melvill rides a rough horse with the face of Alexander Trotter, laiden with bags of 'siller' (silver) towards a sign marked 'Castle' by the side of the Tweed, as John Bull blows a trumpet blast marked 'Tenth Report'. The Commissioners of Naval Inquiry had just released a report on a fraud perpetrated by Trotter when he was the navy's paymaster. He had transferred money into his out account at Coutts, investing and loaning the funds at interest, from which he benefited, before returning the money to the navy. This satire suggests that Dundas, who had been Treasurer of the Navy at the time, also benefited. However Melville was acquitted in the trial in the House of Lords. BM Satires 10386.
[Ref: 58379] £220.00
(£264.00 incl.VAT)
A Fair-Lawn View - or the Portsmouth Journey. ''He that is robb'd not wanting / ''What is stolen, let him not know it, / ''And he's not robb'd at all.
[by Charles Williams.]
Pub,d Jan.y 1823 by S.W. Fores 41 Piccadilly.
Rare coloured etching, watermark 1818. 245 x 345mm (9¾ x 13½"), large margins. Time stained.
A scene at Fairlawn house at Acton Green: a man (probably James Capy, Lord Portsmouth's valet) recoils at seeing Lady Portsmouth asleep in the arms of another man, while Lord Portsmouth sleeps on the farther side of the large bed. John Charles Wallop (1767-1853), 3rd Earl of Portsmouth, had an unsound mind from an early age. After the death of his first wife in 1813, John Hanson, his solicitor, quickly arranged the marriage of the earl and his own daughter, Mary Anne, intending to have the earl declared insane six months later. This failed (thanks to Lord Byron, who had given the bride away), so Mary Anne began an adulterous affair with William Alder, even having intercourse in the same bed with the Earl, fathering three children on her. Eventually it was discovered that the Earl was being badly mistreated by his new wife and her lover. He was adjudged to have been insane since 1809. In 1828 marriage was annulled, Mary Anne's children declared bastards and a judgment for the £40,000 cost of the trial was issued against her. She fled abroad. BM Satires 14546.
[Ref: 54436] £320.00
The Farmers Toast. No XI
[after Charles Williams]
[n.d. c.1801]
Hand coloured etching, sheet 170 x 220mm (6¾ x 8¾"). Large margins. Trimmed within plate and glued to backing sheet. Folds as normal.
A reduced version of the print made by Charles Williams and published by S.W Fores. A satire on the dearth of 1799-1801 which was popularly attributed to monopolists holding out for higher prices. Fat bucolic farmers chat at a table with the cloth removed for dessert. One on the right stands on a chair, one foot resting on a table, and holding a decanter of 'Claret' in one hand, a whole glass in the other; he says, "are you all Charged? Here's the Duke of Portland." The toast is enthusiastically received. A farmer stands, pointing behind him to a letter "To the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Kent," signed "Portland," which hangs on the wall in a frame decorated with stalks of wheat and cornucopias. Piles of bags are stacked in the room, all inscribed 'Sample', two have an addition: ‘700 Q’ and ‘of 500 Qurs’. Signs of luxury include decanters ‘Claret’, ‘Tokay’, ‘Burgundy’ and ‘old Hock’, A china punch bowl and pineapple, grape and peach dishes. 'Design for my new Curricle' is emerging from the pocket of a farmer with a fashionable moustache. See BM Satires 9717
[Ref: 62886] £130.00
(£156.00 incl.VAT)
Accomodation- or a Hint to Country Gentlemen how to save their Fences.
[by Charles Williams.]
Pub.d Oct.r 1827 by M.cLean Hay Market [but later].
Coloured etching. 250 x 350mm (9¾ x 13¾"), with wide margins.
Three peasants taking pailings for firewood from a fence around woodland, under a sign from the landowner to leave the fence and take the wood. The gate has been left open ''for their Accomodation''. The man holds a billhook. BM Satires 15489.
[Ref: 54491] £160.00
(£192.00 incl.VAT)
Finding of Arms or A Midnight Domiciliary Visit to the Boarding School.
[by Charles Williams]
No.111 Cheapside
Etching with hand-colouring, platemark 250 x 380mm (9¾ x 15"), with large margins. Paper watermarked 'G. Wilmott / 1819'
Satire on the Search for Arms Act, brought in December 1819. This print, in which a police-officer with a warrant searches the dormitory of a female boarding school during the night, responds specifically to protests against searches being conducted during the night on account that they would subject women to 'insult and indignity'. Etching by Charles Williams (1797 - 1830, fl.), prolific etcher of satires from his own designs and those of other artists (especially Woodward). Almost all his plates are anonymous and little work has been done to establish for certain which prints he made. As a result Williams is little-known in comparison with contemporaries such as Rowlandson and Gillray in spite of the comparable quality of some of his work. BM Satires 13291.
[Ref: 46560] £260.00
(£312.00 incl.VAT)
May Fashions, or Hints for a four in Hand Exhibition.
[Charles Williams]
Pub.d May 1st 1813 by the Proprietor of Town Talk.
Coloured etching. 270 x 430mm (10½ x 17"). Some creasing, laid on album paper at sides.
Elaborate coaches drive in procession through Cavendish Square. The first has a roof shaped like a pagoda; the second is driver by eccentric amateur actor Robert ''Romeo'' Coates (1772-1848), who is dressed as Lothario, with three huge feathers in his hat. A huge crowd wave and cheer. A satire of the Four-in-Hand Club and their desire for publicity. BM Satires 12129, with extensive description.
[Ref: 64207] £260.00
(£312.00 incl.VAT)
The New Minister or _as it should be.
Argus del,t [Charles Williams].
Pub,d Feby. 1806 by Walker N° 7 Cornhill.
Hand coloured etching. 350 x 250mm (13¾ x 19¾") very large margins. Album paper pasted over left margin. Verso period newspaper cuttings.
Prime Minister William Wyndham Grenville introduces Charles James Fox to George III, who peers at Fox through his looking glass. The three exchange pleasantries. After Pitt's death in 1806, Fox joined Grenville's "Ministry of All the Talents", although he died in June. BM Satires: 10528.
[Ref: 58346] £320.00
Reposing on a Bed of Roses.
Argus [Charles Williams] Inv.t.
Pubd April 1806 by Walker 7 Cornhill.
Fine coloured etching. 250 x 345mm (9¾ x 13½"). Narrow margins.
Ministers recline on a massive state bed covered with roses, the Royal Arms at the head, all complaining about discomfort. From the left: Fox, Moira, Sheridan (with a roseated face), Ellenborough, Windham, Grey, Erskine and Petty. BM Satires 10559.
[Ref: 61829] £320.00
[Charles James Fox] God Save the King _ by a New Set of Performers _ being their first Appearance these twenty Years.
Argus [Charles Williams] Inv.t.
Pubd March 1805 by Walker Nº 7 Cornhill.
Etching with fine hand colour. 250 x 350mm (9¾ x 13¾"). Trimmed to plate top and bottom.
The Foxites celebrate their return to power in 1805. Fox stands at the head of the table, holding up a punch bowl and ladle, as he and his cabinet sing one line of the National anthem each. BM Satires 10541.
[Ref: 63472] £320.00
[Charles James Fox] John Bull's first Visit to his Old Friend the New Secretary.
[Charles Williams.]
Pub.d March 3d 1806 by S W Fores 50 Piccadilly. Folios of Caracatures lent out for the Evening.
Coloured etching, 18th century watermark. Sheet 235 x 350mm (9¼ x 13¾"). Trimmed inside printed border, small nicks in edges, creased.
John Bull, a stout shock-headed countryman in a smock, visits Fox, who stands warily, hiding behind his back a paper, 'Treaty for carrying on the War'. Fox had just become Foreign Secretary in Grenville's ''Ministry of All the Talents'' after years in the political wilderness. He was challenged on his attitude to the Union, which he had recently called 'one of the most disgraceful [acts] that ever happened to that country'. He answered that his opinion remained the same, 'But it did not follow, that, because a man had felt that a particular measure . . . had been exceptionable, he was therefore bound to undo it'. BM Satires 10539.
[Ref: 58377] £120.00
(£144.00 incl.VAT)
[George III & Fox] The New Minister or_ As it should be.
Argus [Charles Williams] del.t.
Pub'd Feb.y 1806 by Walker Nº 7 Cornhill.
Fine coloured etching. 350 x 250mm (13¾ x 19¾"), with large margins. Creasing in margins. Glue stains from album page slightly showing.
George III steps from the throne to the front of the dais to inspect Charles James Fox through his glass, as Baron Grenville introduces him. Following Pitt's death earlier in 1806, Greville had formed the 'Ministry of All Talents' and offered Fox the position of Foreign Secretary, which he accepted. BM Satires: 10528.
[Ref: 61848] £360.00
[Frederick. Duke of York and Mary Anne Charke] They Have Been Weighed in the Balance, and are found Wanting.
Flagelantes [Charles Williams] inv.t.
Pub.d March 1809 by Walker No. 7 Cornhill.
Fine coloured etching. 250 x 350mm (9¾ x 13¾"). Small margins.
A large pair of scales, the arm reading 'England expects every man to do his duty', weigh on one side by Mary Anne Clarke, supported by Gwyllym Lloyd Wardle, and on other three lawyers and General Clavering (with Spencer Perceval adding papers to the scales). The fulcrum is Frederick, Duke of York, standing on the back of William Adam. John Bull watches from behind. This satire relates to the cash-for-commissions scandal involving the Duke of York and Clarke, his mistress, and specifically on the votes exonerating him. Wardle brought the motion for the removal of the Duke, but it was defeated by Perceval's amendment; eventually Perceval's resolution acquitting the Duke of personal corruption was carried. Clarke calls for the John Bull, carrying the 'Vox Populi', to lend his weight, reflecting public opinion. York did in fact resign the same month this print was published- despite the motion passed by the Commons, this was the only way to avoid a renewal of the allegations. Etching by 'Flagelantes', which BM Satires believes to be a pseudonym for Charles Williams, although many of the attributions to Williams in BM Satires are now questioned. BM Satires 11269.
[Ref: 61842] £280.00
(£336.00 incl.VAT)
[George III] A Hint to Ministers, or a Gracious Answer to Grievous Petitions.
[by Charles Williams.]
Pub.d Novem.r 6th 1808 by S W Fores 50 Piccadilly.
Fine coloured etching, 18th century Edmeades watermark; Sheet 240 x 345mm (9½ x 13½"). Trimmed within plate.
George III, face hidden by a pillar, dismissing petitioners against the Convention of Cintra, which allowed the defeated French forces to evacuate Portugal. Sir Arthur Wellesley (yet to be made Duke of Wellington) wanted to continue fighting but was overruled. 20,900 French soldiers, with their equipment and loot, were transported to Rochfort by the Royal Navy; and a Russian fleet, blockaded in Lisbon, were allowing to return to Russia (even stopping at Portsmouth) despite Britain & Russia being at war. In his 'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage' Lord Byron wrote 'Britannia sickens, Cintra! at thy name'. BM Satires 11051.
[Ref: 61844] £260.00
(£312.00 incl.VAT)
[George III and Fox] The New Minister or_ As it should be.
Argus del.t. [Charles Williams].
Pub'd Feb.y 1806 by Walker No7 Cornhill.
Hand-coloured etching. Sheet: 235 x 345mm (9¼ x 13½"). Trimmed, paper loss in corners and laid on an album sheet.
George III steps from the throne to the front of the dais to inspect Charles James Fox through his glass, as Baron Grenville introduces him. Following Pitt's death earlier in 1806, Greville had formed the 'Ministry of All Talents' and offered Fox the position of Foreign Secretary, which he accepted. BM Satires: 10528.
[Ref: 44707] £160.00
(£192.00 incl.VAT)
[George III & Fox] The New Minister or_ As it should be.
Argus del.t. [Charles Williams].
Pub'd Feb.y 1806 by Walker No7 Cornhill.
Hand-coloured etching. Sheet: 235 x 345mm (9¼ x 13½"). Edged with red linen paper browned, damaged, holes in top edge to be pinned up on wall.
George III steps from the throne to the front of the dais to inspect Charles James Fox through his glass, as Baron Grenville introduces him. Following Pitt's death earlier in 1806, Greville had formed the 'Ministry of All Talents' and offered Fox the position of Foreign Secretary, which he accepted. A rare early presentation. BM Satires: 10528.
[Ref: 52015] £120.00
(£144.00 incl.VAT)
[George III and the Duke of Norfolk] The Resignation.
[Charles Williams.]
Pubd Feby 23d 1798 by SW Fores 50 Piccadilly. _ Folios of Caracatures lent out for the Evening.
Fine coloured etching. 345 x 275mm (13½ x 10¾"), watermark dated 1793. Trimmed into plate at sides.
Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk, stands before George III holding out his Earl Marshal's baton, inscribed 'Hereditary'. He has thrown down sealed patents inscribed 'Cus Rotu Westri' and 'Coll of West York Mil[itia]'. The king throws his hands up in alarm, kicking over his footstool. Pitt cowers behind the king's chair. The duke was dismissed from the lord lieutenancy of the West Riding in 1798 for toasting ''Our sovereign’s health - the majesty of the people'', displeasing George. BM Satires 9175.
[Ref: 63375] £260.00
(£312.00 incl.VAT)
[George, Prince of Wales & the Duchess of Gordon] A Racket at a Rout or Billingsgate Removed to the West.
[Charles Williams.]
Pub.d June 9th 1803 by S W Fores 50 Piccadilly. Folios of Caracatures lent out for the Evening.
Coloured etching watermark J. Ruse 1802. 245 x 350mm (9½ x 13¾"). Trimmed into plate at bottom, mounted in album paper at edges.
Jane, Duchess of Gordon (c.1748-1812, a patron of Robert Burns), argues with the Prince of Wales at a function, to the embarrassment of the attendees. During the Peace of Amiens Jane visited Napoleon in Paris and bought a painted portrait (presumably the miniature around her neck here), leading to a row with the Prince. She then sent a message to the King and Queen that she would not attend the Birthday, but went and was ignored. BM Satires 10007.
[Ref: 63571] £260.00
(£312.00 incl.VAT)
[George, Prince of Wales] Diamond Cut Diamond _ Intended as a Frontispiece to the Phamphlet.
[Charles Williams.]
Pub.d Aug,t 15th 1806 by SW Fores Nº 50 Piccadilly.
Coloured etching. 250 x 350mm (10 x 13¾"). Small margins.
The Prince is on the left addressing jeweller Nathaniel Jefferys, who bows low with a fixed and hungry smile. In the Prince's left hand is a money-bag inscribed '400'. In his pocket is a paper: 'Advice to a young Tradesman by B Frank[lin]'. On the left is a huge stack of tailor's bills, and behind prints are pasted on a screen, four of which have titles and figures: 'The Prodigal recieving his Portion'; 'Sqanders with Harlots'; 'Feeds with the Swine'; 'The Fall of Phaeton'. A satire on the dispute between the Prince of Wales and Jefferys over the slow repayment of bills. Jefferys claimed to have lost a considerable sum of money in the settlement of his account with the Prince. In 1806 he requested 400 guineas for his son to be an articled solicitor and went on to write a pamphlet 'exposing' the Prince's conduct which went through nine editions in a year this print was published. It started a pamphlet war, as part of which the theatrical writer Gilliland wrote 'Diamond cut Diamond' in defence of the Prince. American interest. BM Satires: 10592.
[Ref: 61834] £280.00
(£336.00 incl.VAT)
The Birth Day Hoax _ or the Gout at Court; April 23d 1823.
[Charles Williams.]
London Pub.d April 28th 1823 by John Fairburn Broadway Ludgate Hill.
Coloured etching, pt J. Whatman watermark. Sheet 250 x 355mm (9¾ x 14"). Trimmed within plate.
A monstrous figure of 'Gout' stands on the shoulders of two beefeaters outside Buckingham Palace (before Edward Blore's East Front of 1847), preventing coaches and a sedan chair from entering. A Drawing Room dinner was cancelled because George IV had suffered an attack of gout the previous night, although it was suggested that it was a political decision. BM Satires 14519.
[Ref: 61865] £320.00
[George IV] Gudgeon Fishing a la Conservatory.
[Charles Williams.]
Pub.d July 1811 by S.W. Fores 50 Piccadilly.
Coloured etching. Trimmed within plate, mounted on album paper at corners.
The Prince Regent presides over a fête held to honour the Duchesse d'Angoulême, daughter of Louis XVI. The ladies hold fishing rods, with which they try to catch goldfish in a pool in the centre of the table. One of the guests is Richard Brinsley Sheridan, who holds a paper 'Nominal Subscribers to the Humbug Theatre', a reference to his raising funds for rebuilding Drury Lane Theatre. BM Satires 11729, with extensive description.
[Ref: 61133] £260.00
(£312.00 incl.VAT)
[Order of the Bath] The Ceremony of Kissing the Badge at the Installation of the Knights of the Bomb.
[by Charles Williams.]
Pubd Nov.r 1st 1816 by Johnston, 98 Cheapside.
Coloured etching. Sheet 235 x 345mm (9¼ x 13½"). Trimmed within plate, folds as normal.
The Prince Regent sits on a commode-like 'Grand Mortar', facing away from the viewer, in a gothic 'Chapel of Ease'. On his back is a badge, which a supplicant is bending over to kiss. A satire relating to the reconstitution of the Order of the Bath, here 'Order of the Bomb'. BM Satires 12811.
[Ref: 61845] £180.00
(£216.00 incl.VAT)
Manchester Square Cattle Shew.
[Charles Williams.]
Pub,d for the Proprietors of Town Talk May 1st 1812.
Coloured etching. Sheet 275 x 430mm (10¾ x 17"). Some surface wear and soiling.
A satire of the influence of Isabella, Marchioness of Hertford, over the Prince of Wales, showing her as a prize cow at a show. It suggests she led him to desert the Whigs. Her husband Lord Hertford is attacked both for his complaisance and for accepting favours from the prince. BM Satires 11878, with extensive description.
[Ref: 61036] £260.00
(£312.00 incl.VAT)
[George IV] Paving the Way for a Royal Divorce.
Pub.d. by Johnston 98 Cheapside.
Rare hand-coloured etching. Sheet: 335 x 235mm (13 x 9¼"). Trimmed within plate. Mounted within album sheet. Central vertical crease. Some staining in image.
The Prince Regent sits at the head of the table, tipping his wine on the floor. Around the table sit figures such as Castlereagh who loudly discuss the possibility of getting a divorce for the Prince from his estranged wife Caroline. Since their split Caroline went to live in Italy where she took several lovers and caused great scandal.
[Ref: 37315] £140.00
(£168.00 incl.VAT)