A Charley making a Discovery.
T. Lane
London Pubd by G.Humphrey 27 St James's Street March 15 1822.
Hand coloured etching, sheet 260 x 210mm (10¼ x 8¼"). Trimmed within plate.
A top-hatted man embraces a courtesan in a dimly lit arcade/underpass while she craftily picks his pocket of a handkerchief. A London night-watchman (Charley) holding a lantern and a bludgeon, enters the passage, leaning towards them and staring stupidly. Watchmen were nicknamed Charlies or Charleys after 1663 when Charles II set up a force of paid Watchmen to patrol the streets in all towns and cities.
BM 14460.
[Ref: 56452] £130.00
London Pubd by G.Humphrey 27 St James's Street March 15 1822.
Hand coloured etching, sheet 260 x 210mm (10¼ x 8¼"). Trimmed within plate.
A top-hatted man embraces a courtesan in a dimly lit arcade/underpass while she craftily picks his pocket of a handkerchief. A London night-watchman (Charley) holding a lantern and a bludgeon, enters the passage, leaning towards them and staring stupidly. Watchmen were nicknamed Charlies or Charleys after 1663 when Charles II set up a force of paid Watchmen to patrol the streets in all towns and cities.
BM 14460.
[Ref: 56452] £130.00