“G.P.” Vanity Fair caricature of Mr George Payne, Men of the Day CIX. c1875

$120.00

Original Vanity Fair lithograph "G.P." from a watercolour caricature of Mr. George Payne, Men of the Day No. CIX (109) on September 18 1875. The accompanying text states that "He has lost several fortunes, and won something; he has made many bets, and been the hero of many stories; and wherever a race is to be run, a game of skill and chance to be played, or a nice question to be decided, there is "G.P." looked up to as the best of all tribunals and the most popular of all men."

Vanity Fair was a weekly magazine of social comment, published in London from 1868 to 1914. With eight to ten pages each issue, Vanity Fair magazine's popularity was guaranteed with the inclusion of an amusing caricature, lithographed from a watercolour, parodying any newsworthy personage. Over the years of publication it became a mark of honour to be the 'victim' of one of the magazine's caricaturists. The publisher accompanied each with a witty text, written under his nickname of 'Jehu Junior' (after the biblical prophet who effected the downfall of his enemies), and thought that the caricatures made grim faces more grim, grotesque figures more grotesque, and dull people duller by the genius of ‘Ape’" (Carlo Pellegrini, 1839-1889). It was the first time lithography had been used for caricatures. They were printed by the eminent lithographer, Vincent Brooks (1814-1885).

Page size 355 x 230 (14 x 9 inches). In good condition except for a little soiling in the margins, and Indian ink "93" at top right and George Payne written at lower right.