Billy-Button, Master Of The Ceremonies, To an Eighteen Penny Rout & Assembly.
Pubd. by MDarly accorg. to Act Decr. 1st 1771 (39 Strand).
Etching. 160 x 105mm (6¼ x 4").
A man who seems to be bowing, his right hand held out, his left fingers touch his breast. His profile is grotesque, with a bulbous nose and double chin. His hair is in a club. He wears a laced coat and waistcoat, frilled shirt-sleeves, low buckled shoes, and a sword. Billy Button is a character in Samuel Foote's play of 'The Maid of Bath', first played 26 June 1771, the part being taken by the actor Thomas Weston (1737 - 1777). From 'Caricatures, Macaronies & Characters by sundry ladies gentlemen artists &c.', in an album of caricatures published by Mary Darly dated January 1776. It seems that her husband Matthew made the plates. Numbered 'V.2' upper left and '3' upper right.
BM Satires: 4988.
[Ref: 14179] £140.00
Etching. 160 x 105mm (6¼ x 4").
A man who seems to be bowing, his right hand held out, his left fingers touch his breast. His profile is grotesque, with a bulbous nose and double chin. His hair is in a club. He wears a laced coat and waistcoat, frilled shirt-sleeves, low buckled shoes, and a sword. Billy Button is a character in Samuel Foote's play of 'The Maid of Bath', first played 26 June 1771, the part being taken by the actor Thomas Weston (1737 - 1777). From 'Caricatures, Macaronies & Characters by sundry ladies gentlemen artists &c.', in an album of caricatures published by Mary Darly dated January 1776. It seems that her husband Matthew made the plates. Numbered 'V.2' upper left and '3' upper right.
BM Satires: 4988.
[Ref: 14179] £140.00