“lately whipped” Vanity Fair caricature. Colonel Taylor, M.P. c1874

$80.00

Original Vanity Fair lithograph "lately whipped" from a watercolour caricature of Colonel the Right Honourable Thomas Edward Taylor, M.P. Statesmen. No. CLXXVII (177) on July 4 1874. The accompanying text states "He belongs to the genteel Irish classes, he was once a seventh Dragoon guard, he is a Colonel of Militia, a Justice of the Peace, a Privy Councillor, and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and he once whipped for the Conservative Party. He is in his sixty-third year, and belongs to White's. This is all the good there is to say about him, except that he is not universally popular."

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). He considered 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. Indian ink number "29" at top right.