Sooty Dun the Devil's Mealman.
Pubd accord to Act Oct 30 1772 by MDarly 39 Strand.
Etching, paper watermarked. Plate 178 x 128mm (7 x 5"). Small margins.
A whole length figure running forwards; he is grinning. In his right hand he holds up a short shovel and in his left a brush. His clothes are ragged and his toes appear through remnants of buckled shoes. He wears a laced hat, cravata and a ruffled shirt. In place of a wig is what appears to be a tightly-curled lamb's fleece resting on his shoulders; two pieces of crossed wood imitate a sword. A miniature figure in ragged clothes and a long thin queue faces him astride a tasslled cane. According to the BM, he is a chimney sweep dressed for the first of May celebrations which were usual in London. The small figure may represent a child-apprentice or climbing boy, though there is nothing juvenile in its appearance.
BM Satires: 5042.
[Ref: 38221] £140.00
Etching, paper watermarked. Plate 178 x 128mm (7 x 5"). Small margins.
A whole length figure running forwards; he is grinning. In his right hand he holds up a short shovel and in his left a brush. His clothes are ragged and his toes appear through remnants of buckled shoes. He wears a laced hat, cravata and a ruffled shirt. In place of a wig is what appears to be a tightly-curled lamb's fleece resting on his shoulders; two pieces of crossed wood imitate a sword. A miniature figure in ragged clothes and a long thin queue faces him astride a tasslled cane. According to the BM, he is a chimney sweep dressed for the first of May celebrations which were usual in London. The small figure may represent a child-apprentice or climbing boy, though there is nothing juvenile in its appearance.
BM Satires: 5042.
[Ref: 38221] £140.00