Thomas
Rowlandson
One of the great names in the “golden age” of caricatures,
which ran for fifty years from c.1780.
He entered the Royal Academy School at the age of sixteen, then spent
two years in Paris and was exhibiting at the Royal Academy from 1775
onwards.
A prolific artist, he worked for many of the leading print sellers,
both from his own designs, and by the developing designs produced by
others.
Social caricature was his main area, though some of his political satires
showed political insights as well as great artistry.
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T. Rowlandson. ALL THE TALENTS.
Published April 18th 1807 by 11 Stockdale Pall Mall.
4¾ x 7¾. Trimmed onto/within the plate mark with
a small repaired tear one inch from the top left corner.
This was the frontispiece to a collection of satirical verses
of the same title, which was attacking the late Ministry.
B. M. 10720.
£50. |
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T.
Rowlandson. The Old Womans Complaint, or the Greek Alphabet.
Published by Thomas Tegg No. III Cheapside Jan. 15. 1809.
14 x 9¾. Original colour, with small margin at the
top, the others are good. A small tear at the top not reaching
the image. Slight marks.
The old woman complains to the schoolmaster that the boys
followed her and that they were insulting. The boys reply
that they were repeating the Greek alphabet and that she misunderstood.
As the B.M. points out their expression indicates a successful
conspiracy.
B. M. 11460.
£225.
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T.
Rowlandson. SPORTS OF A COUNTRY FAIR.
Published by Thos. Tegg No 111 Cheapside. (c.1818).
14 x 9¾. Reasonable original colour, with small margins,
on watermarked paper of 1818. Some minor staining mainly in
the margins, with two old repaired tears not going into the
image.
A tented scene with many people fleeing the entrance of an escaping
Bengal Tiger.
Not in the B. M. In Grego volume 2 page 191.
£165. |
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T. Rowlandson. A PICTURE OF MISERY.
Published by Thos. Tegg No. 111 Cheapside April 10. 1811.
13¾ x 9¾. Original colour on paper with a watermark
of 1813. Small margins at the top otherwise quite good.
A miser sits in his poverty-stricken room, opposite sits a
well dressed man seemingly unable to comprehend why the other
lives in this state.
B. M. 11804.
£165. |
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T. Rowlandson. EASTER MONDAY
or the Cockney Hunt.
Designed etched and Published July 14, 1811 by T. Rowlandson
N I James Street Adelphi. (The date of 1811 has been altered
from 1807, this is exactly the same as the example in the B.
M.).
9½ x 13. Original colour, trimmed onto/within the plate
mark with some slight toning and a small printers crease on
the left.
A typical Rowlandson image, Dogs, and people falling off horses,
and the attractive young woman, who in this case is showing
off her superior ability over the jumps.
B. M. 10813.
£175. |
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T.
Rowlandson. A PARODY OF MILTON
Published by Tegg (1808). 14 x 10. Good original colour, reasonable
margins. Underneath the title is
"Oh she came -such as I saw her in my dream
Grace in all her steps - Heaven in her eye
In every gesture dignity and Love" - Milton.
B.M. 11142
£165. |
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T. Rowlandson. A ROUGH SKETCH OF THE TIMES AS DELENIATED
BY SIR FRANCIS BURDETT.
Published by Tegg, 1819. 13 ½ x 9 ½. Good original
colour with reasonable margins.
A young and handsome Burdett stands between ‘The Genius
of Honour and Integrity’ and ‘The Monster of Corruption’.
The latter carries a ‘bag of bribery’ and has ‘hands
of extortion’ etc.
B.M. 11553.
£175 |
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T. Rowlandson Weeping.
Published by R. Ackermann’s, 21st January 1800, at the
Repository of Arts 101 Strand London. Numbered 13 top right.
10¾ x 8¾. Trimmed onto/within the plate mark to
the right, plate mark visible on other three sides. Good original
colour.
The text below the image reads,
As laughter is often
excited by the most simple causes,
so frequently is Weeping, in this instance the hard & obdurate
features, that would be callous to real sufferings, melts at
the
fancied sorrows of a Village love Ballad.
Not in the B. M.
£80. |
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T. Rowlandson. SAILORS DRINKING
THE TUN-BRIDGE WATERS.
Published by Thos. Tegg No. 111 Cheapside, and numbered 242
top right.
13¾ x 10¼. Good original colour, trimmed to the
plate mark at the top with reasonable margins on the other three
sides.
A pretty young woman, standing by a pump, is offering a burly
sailor a tumbler and is saying; Be assured it is an excellent
beverage for Gentlemen who have been a long time at sea. The
sailor scowls at her and replies; Why lookee Ma-am I don’t
wish to be unpolite But if your Ladyship Honor pleases –
I had rather hang fire – a bit – for d’ye
see it gave our Poll, the belly ach – and D—n the
Gripes, I never could bear them twiddled me up decently when
I was last in the Meditaranean. Behind the sailor stands
an old man trying to drink the water, but spilling most of it.
He is saying; D—d Queer Tipple to be sure! Next
to the old man is a young sailor offering a coin to a boy, he
is saying; Harkee young two-shoes – go and get me
a pint of half and half and a Squeeze of Lemon – for D—n
me if I could drink it neat if I was never to weigh Anchor Again.
B.M. 12644.
£180. |
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T. Rowlandson. Off She Goes.
Published December 24th (year obliterated), by Thos. Tegg No
II (sic) Cheapside.
8¾ x 12¾. Original colour, trimmed to the image
with the top left corner missing and crudely filled in and old
folds.
A fun Rowlandson image of an elopement.
B. M. 11974.
£50. |
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T. Rowlandson. MASTER BILLY’S PROCESSION TO
GROCERS HALL.
Published March 8th 1784, by W. Humphrey No. 227 Strand.
13¼ x 8¾. Uncoloured impression, on laid paper.
Trimmed almost to the image, old glue marks on the back corners.
Two vertical very faint folds either side of centre.
A burlesque representation of Pitt’s procession to the
City on 28th February. He was to dine with the 'Grocers
Company' and receive the freedom of the City. The procession
was described at length in the newspapers of the time as,
‘the grandest procession of the kind since the year 1761’,
when Pitt’s illustrious Father received the same marks
of distinction from the citizens of London.
B. M. 6443.
£60. |
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T. Rowlandson. HODGES EXPLANATION OF
A HUNDRED MAGISTRATES.
Published by Thos. Tegg March 1st 1815, No. 111 Cheapside, and
numbered 345 top right.
13¾ x 9½. Good original colour, trimmed onto/within
the plate mark.
A yokel in a long smock stands before three elderly J.P.s. One
of the justices sits on a chair with folded hands and a scowl
on his face. The other two stare angrily at the yokel as one
of them says, How dare you Fellow to say it is unfair to
bring you before one hundred Magistrates when you see there
are but three of us.
The yokel tugs at his hair and replies, Why please your
Worship you mun know – when I went to school they taught
I that a one and two O’s stood for a hundred – so
do you see your Worship be One and the other two be Cyphers!
B.M. 12643.
£165. |
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T. Rowlandson. THE CHAMPION OF THE
PEOPLE.
Published March 11 1784 by W. Humphrey No. 227 Strand.
13 x 9. Trimmed onto/within the plate mark, with slight staining.
From the ‘History of the Westminster Election 1784’.
On laid paper with the usual two folds.
An armoured Fox stands with his sword of Justice
raised above his head, and his SHIELD of TRUTH on
his left arm. He is being attacked by a many-headed monster;
a scaly beast, with wings, talons and writhing serpentine
heads. From each of the serpent’s mouths issue the words,
TYRANNY, Assumed Prerogative, Despotism, Oppression,
Secret Influence, Scotch Politik, Duplicity and Corruption.
Behind Fox are his supporters; two are prostrate at his feet
and emaciated, they are inscribed Et. Indians. Behind
these two are serried ranks of armoured men, with a standard
of Britannia inscribed STANDARD OF UNIVERSAL LIBERTY.
The men are saying, While he protects us we will support
him. Above them, they are labelled ENGISH. The
smaller body of men to the right are labelled the IRISH,
they are saying, He gave us a free Trade and all we asked
He shall have our firm support.
Behind the hydra four men holding hands caper around a flag
inscribed, STANDARD OF SEDITION. They probably represent
foreign countries rejoicing at the dissensions within England,
one appears to be dressed as a Frenchman another as a Dutchman.
This is one of the most extreme of Foxite prints; it is exceptional
in defending the India Bill.
B.M. 6444.
£80.
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T. Rowlandson. HUMBUGGING or RAISING
THE DEVIL.
The publication line is missing on this print, but the B. M.
says Published by R. Ackerman No 101 Strand. March 23rd 1800.
12½ x 10¼. Aquatint, reasonably good colour, trimmed
to the image with only the title visible, this print is shown
in a mount.
A bogus wizard stands raising his wand while a grotesque figure,
in answer, snorting fire, emerges in clouds of smoke, from a
rectangular aperture in the floor. The dupe, an ugly old man
watches in terror, whilst a young woman picks his pocket.
B. M. 9611.
£190. |
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T. Rowlandson. VOLUNTEER WIT OR NOT ENOUGH
FOR A PRIME.
The B. M. Copy has a publication line of May 21st 1808 by Thos
Tegg No. 111 Cheapside.
This copy has a Tegg number of 227 top right, (as does the B.
M. copy).
13¾ x 9¾. Good original colour with small margins.
Old fold mark to the left.
Thought to be a satire of the Lord Mayor (John Ainsley 1807-08).
Six elderly volunteers sit in their uniforms around a table.
The host says, “Come Gentlemen Volunteers to the right
and the left – Charge if you please to the King.
One of the volunteers stands raising his glass and says,
I should be happy to obey your Orders Colonel – but really
your glasses are so small that d—m me if theres enough
for a Prime!
B. M. 11136.
£150. |
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T. Rowlandson. THE MAGICIAN!!
Published by Thos. Tegg No 111 Cheapside, February 25th 1809.
It is interesting that this image has no Tegg No.
13¾ x 9½. Good original colour (although the coat
of the magician is slightly rubbed), with good margins.
The Duke of York, with a beard and dressed as a magician, he
is holding a wand inscribed Petticoat Influence. Beneath
the wand stands, a young man dressed as an officer. The Duke
says, “By the Mystery of my Art, no more be a Foot-boy
– but rise a Captain.” The young man, much
surprised says, “Bless me how soon a foot-boy is turned
to a Gentleman.”
A young servant of Mrs Clarke, Samuel Carter, was given an ensign’s
commission. The appointment was justified as an act of humanity.
The B. M. note that there is an issue with the title ‘The
Magician’ date 29 Feb. The print in the B. M. is titled
The YORK Magician Transforming a Foot-Boy to a Captain. It is
dated Feb 25th 1809.
B. M. 11223.
£160. |
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T. Rowlandson. THE INFANT HERCULES.
Published by W. Humphrey No 227 Strand February 3rd 1784. This
is a re-issue of c.1820, with good original colour done at time
of issue.
14 x 9¾. Large margins.
An infant, North, sits in a shield titled The shield of Chatham.
The infant is holding two serpents; one is Fox the other Pitt.
On the tails of the serpent is written, Bill East Indian, and
American War.
This is one of the many political satires on the struggle between
Pitt and Fox.
B. M. 6402.
£125. |
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T. Rowlandson. SIR CECILS BUDGET FOR
PAYING THE NATIONAL DEBT.
Published March 30th 1784 by M. Dacheray St. James’s.
13¾ X 9¾. Good Margins and on wove paper c.1820.
A Westminster election satire. Chelsea Hospital is in the background,
on the right; maidservants and a pensioner are attacking Wray.
His proposal to abolish the hospital and to tax maidservants
was very unpopular.
B. M. 6475.
£50. |
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T. Rowlandson. WITCHES IN A HAY LOFT.
Published by T. Tegg. There is no publication line on the B.
M. example but they have a suggested date of 1813. Top right
there is a Tegg number of 226.
11¾ x 9½. With good original colour and small
margins. On water marked paper with a date of 1818.
A yokel puts his head through a trap door, he his holding a
lantern and pitchfork, he is gaping in horror at the sight before
him. Two witches sit over a fire with a burning bowl in front
of them. They gaze at the creatures they have conjured-up.
B. M. 12150.
£120. |
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T. Rowlandson. THE BULL AND MOUTH.
Published by Thos. Tegg No. 111 Cheapside. The B. M. copy has
a publication date of December 24th 1808.
8¾ x 12¾. Reasonable colour, trimmed to the image,
with some staining to the chair.
An ugly and obese ‘cit’ is seated yawning with his
eyes closed. His attractive wife holds up two fingers behind
his head, to signify cuckolds-horns. As she does this, she is
slipping a letter to a handsome office who, is lurking by a
half-open door. As he receives the letter, he touches his nose
with his finger.
B. M. 11145.
£120. |
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T. Rowlandson. MASQUERADING.
(Published August 30th 1811 by Thos. Tegg No. 111 Cheapside).
9¾ x 13¾. Original colour with small margins.
This example has the publication line removed in the usual Tegg
manner and was printed c.1817.
A typical well executed satire by Rowlandson.
B. M. 11808.
£550. |
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T. Rowlandson. THE WESTMINSTER WATCHMAN.
No publication line. Grego suggests a date of April 12th 1784.
9¾ x 6¾. Uncoloured image on laid paper, with
small margins, a few small holes in the lower margin.
Fox stands in the centre of the picture, under storm clouds
with ‘Ministerial Thunderbolts’ coming
from the sky. He is wearing the hat of ‘Liberty’
and is holding the staff of ‘Uprightness’,
the dog of ‘Vigilance’, stands next to
the staff. On the ground beside him is the lamp of ‘Truth’.
Two watchmen in the background are walking away saying,
“For Greenwich Ho a”, and “For Chelsea
Ho a”. Beneath the print is, ‘To the Independent
Electors of Westminster. This Print of their Staunch Old Watchman
The Guardian of their Rights and Privileges is dedicated by
a gratefull Elector. NB. Beware of Counterfeits as The Greenwich
and Chelsea Watchmen are upon the look out!’
Not in the B. M. Grego 1 Page.126.
£70. |
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T. Rowlandson. MADAME VERY RESTAURATEUR.
PALAIS ROYAL PARIS.
On the image below, LA BELLE LIMINAUDIERE AU CAFFEE DE MILLE
COLLONE.
No publication line, but with a Tegg No of 236 to right. The
B. M. suggests a date of 1814.
9½ x 13½. Good original colour, with reasonable
margins. Some staining in the margins only.
Two smart women sit at a table, one is very large the other
very thin. On the table are delicacies to eat. The Madam Very
referred to in the title, headed the list of most renowned restaurateurs
in Paris. The image beneath shows a fashionably dressed woman
sitting at an ornate table in a café studying a menu.
Sometimes presented as two separate prints, which is why the
B. M. has two numbers.
B. M. 12409 & 12410.
£220. |
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T. Rowlandson. Anger.
Published by R Ackermanns, 21st January 1800, at the Repository
of the Arts, 101 Strand London.
Numbered 18 top right.
10½ x 8½. Good original colour, with a watermarked
date of 1799 on wove paper.
The text below the image reads,
This unruly Passion
shews itself in a forcible degree in a termagant
mistress, scolding her Maid servant.
Not in the B. M.
£85. |
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T. Rowlandson. A LAND STORM. or Jack
Tars out of their Element.
No publisher’s details.
9 x 10 Large margins some marks on margins. Reasonable original
colour, on paper with a date watermark of 1815.
A caricature of run away horses.
Not in the B.M. or Grego.
£165. |
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T.
Rowlandson. ODD FELLOWS FROM DOWNING STREET COMPLAINING TO JOHN
BULL
Published by Tegg 1808 14 x 9 ½. Good original colour
with reasonable margins. A satire on the widely felt view that
there was little to choose between the government and the opposition,
and that both were plunderers of the public purse when they
were in office.
B.M. 10988.
£180. |
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T. Rowlandson. THOMAS SIMMONS.
Etched and Published by T. Rowlandson November 9. 1807 No 1
James St. Adelphi.
6¼ x 9¾. Original colour with good margins. Old
soft diagonal crease and slight staining on the left, which
is mainly outside the image.
This is a portrait of the murderer who killed two people in
Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire.
Not in the B. M.
£60. |
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T. Rowlandson. SPORTS OF A COUNTRY FAIR.
Part the second
Published by Thos. Tegg No 111 Cheapside. At the top is TEGG’S
CARICATURES. N0 39.
13¾ x 9¾. Reasonable margins with good original
colour, some slight staining, and minor creases top left. On
paper with a watermarked date of 1818.
A view of a fair with booths on the left. An embryo ‘Great
Wheel’ is in action on the right, with the carts containing
people. One of the carts is broken and the occupants have fallen
out.
B. M. 11630.
£200. |
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Rowlandson and Pugin.
This is an image from the series of ‘The Microcosm of
London’, which was printed for
R. Ackermann, there were 104 images in the series. Originally
published in parts, they were published in 1810 in three volumes.
The plates are dated 1808 and are in good original colour all
measure 11 x 8 ¾ and have good margins.
The catalogue, for the famous ‘Ipex’ exhibition
of British Coloured Books, which was held in 1980 referred to
this as one of the great books of the period and complemented
Ackermann for combining the talents of the French refugee, Augustus
Charles Pugin, who was responsible for the architectural details.
With the figures being the responsibility of Thomas Rowlandson.
In the introduction to the exhibition the mention of this series
finishes with the words, “But the superbly accurate architectural
drawings of Pugin are marvellously complemented by Rowlandson’s
finely observed lords, ladies, fat ugly men, riff-raff and dandies.
BRITISH INSTITUTION, PALL MALL.
£180. |
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Rowlandson and Pugin.
This is an image from the series of ‘The Microcosm of
London’, which was printed for
R. Ackermann, there were 104 images in the series. Originally
published in parts, they were published in 1810 in three volumes.
The plates are dated 1808 and are in good original colour all
measure 11 x 8 ¾ and have good margins.
The catalogue, for the famous ‘Ipex’ exhibition
of British Coloured Books, which was held in 1980 referred to
this as one of the great books of the period and complemented
Ackermann for combining the talents of the French refugee, Augustus
Charles Pugin, who was responsible for the architectural details.
With the figures being the responsibility of Thomas Rowlandson.
In the introduction to the exhibition the mention of this series
finishes with the words, “But the superbly accurate architectural
drawings of Pugin are marvellously complemented by Rowlandson’s
finely observed lords, ladies, fat ugly men, riff-raff and dandies.
COVENT GARDEN MARKET, WESTMINSTER ELECTION.
£175. |
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Rowlandson and Pugin.
This is an image from the series of ‘The Microcosm of
London’, which was printed for
R. Ackermann, there were 104 images in the series. Originally
published in parts, they were published in 1810 in three volumes.
The plates are dated 1808 and are in good original colour all
measure 11 x 8 ¾ and have good margins.
The catalogue, for the famous ‘Ipex’ exhibition
of British Coloured Books, which was held in 1980 referred to
this as one of the great books of the period and complemented
Ackermann for combining the talents of the French refugee, Augustus
Charles Pugin, who was responsible for the architectural details.
With the figures being the responsibility of Thomas Rowlandson.
In the introduction to the exhibition the mention of this series
finishes with the words, “But the superbly accurate architectural
drawings of Pugin are marvellously complemented by Rowlandson’s
finely observed lords, ladies, fat ugly men, riff-raff and dandies.
DRAWING from LIFE at the ROYAL ACADEMY, SOMERSET HOUSE.
£175. |
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Rowlandson and Pugin.
This is an image from the series of ‘The Microcosm of
London’, which was printed for
R. Ackermann, there were 104 images in the series. Originally
published in parts, they were published in 1810 in three volumes.
The plates are dated 1808 and are in good original colour all
measure 11 x 8 ¾ and have good margins.
The catalogue, for the famous ‘Ipex’ exhibition
of British Coloured Books, which was held in 1980 referred to
this as one of the great books of the period and complemented
Ackermann for combining the talents of the French refugee, Augustus
Charles Pugin, who was responsible for the architectural details.
With the figures being the responsibility of Thomas Rowlandson.
In the introduction to the exhibition the mention of this series
finishes with the words, “But the superbly accurate architectural
drawings of Pugin are marvellously complemented by Rowlandson’s
finely observed lords, ladies, fat ugly men, riff-raff and dandies.
EXHIBITION OF WATER COLOURED DRAWINGS, OLD BOND STREET.
£200. |
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Rowlandson and Pugin.
This is an image from the series of ‘The Microcosm of
London’, which was printed for
R. Ackermann, there were 104 images in the series. Originally
published in parts, they were published in 1810 in three volumes.
The plates are dated 1808 and are in good original colour all
measure 11 x 8 ¾ and have good margins.
The catalogue, for the famous ‘Ipex’ exhibition
of British Coloured Books, which was held in 1980 referred to
this as one of the great books of the period and complemented
Ackermann for combining the talents of the French refugee, Augustus
Charles Pugin, who was responsible for the architectural details.
With the figures being the responsibility of Thomas Rowlandson.
In the introduction to the exhibition the mention of this series
finishes with the words, “But the superbly accurate architectural
drawings of Pugin are marvellously complemented by Rowlandson’s
finely observed lords, ladies, fat ugly men, riff-raff and dandies.
EXHIBITION ROOM, SOMERSET HOUSE.
£225. |
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T. Rowlandson. The Norwich Bull Feast
or Glory and Gluttony.
Published November 22 1819 by Thos Tegg No 111 Cheapside.
9¾.x 13¾. Original colour and small margins and
some surface marks.
The cheering crowds were celebrating the victory at Leipzig.
The effigy of Napoleon is prominent as the banner alongside
reads “Downfall of the Tyrant.”
B. M. 13487.
£170. |
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T. Rowlandson. QUARTER DAY, OR CLEARING
THE PREMISSES WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR LANDLORD.
(Published by Tegg) and dated 1814 on the plate.
13½. x 9½. Original colour and small margins and
some surface marks.
A typical, busy, and chaotic Rowlandson scene.
B. M. 12399.
£175. |
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T. Rowlandson. NAP IN THE COUNTRY. NAP
IN THE TOWN.
Published by S. Alken, No. 3 Dufours Place. Broad Street Soho.
9¾ x 13¾. Good margins and on wove paper c.1820.
Dated on the plate, ‘Rowlandson 1785’.
Two designs on the same plate.
B. M. 6868 and 6869.
£50. |
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T. Rowlandson. A MISTAKE AT NEW MARKET.
or Sport and Piety.
Published October 5 1807 by Thos. Tegg No 111 Cheapside.
13½ x 9¾. Original colour on paper with a watermark
of 1805. Small margin at the top with good margins elsewhere.
A light brown line outside the image resulting from an old mount.
A pious woman carrying a book of ‘Wesley’s Hymns’
faces the jockey. Confusion results when she asks if there are,
“any Meetings in this Town“?
B. M. 10920.
£220. |
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T. Rowlandson. POLITICAL CHEMIST AND
GERMAN RETORTS or dissolving the Rhenish Confederacy.
Published December 14th 1813 by R Ackermann No. 101 Strand.
13¾ x 9¾. Original colour with good margins and
some slight handling marks.
The ‘German Stove’ is being fired up by
John Bull and Dutchman. Napoleon is being dissolved in the glass
vessel. Behind John Bull are leaders of five countries encouraging
the attack on Napoleon.
One of the many prints on the consequences of the allied victories.
B. M. 12122.
£220. |
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T. Rowlandson. The Incurables.
Published April 4th 1784 by W. Humphrey, No. 227. Strand.
12 x 10. Original colour, on wove c.1800/1810 paper. Trimmed
onto the plate mark at the top, with good margins to the other
three sides.
One of the satires on the fall of the Coalition. Here Fox is
in a strait jacket with Dr Monroe, the physician, at Bedlam.
Dr. Monroe is saying, “As I have not the least hope
of his Recovery. Let him be removed amongst the Incurables”.
Fox is saying, “My Lodging is on the Cold ground and
very hard is my Case. But that which grieves me most is the
Loosing of my Place”.
B. M. 6495.
£100. |
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