Cartoon Collection (#93)

The Pic-Nic Orchestra, James Gilray, 1802. Artist: James Gillray
The Pic-Nic Orchestra, James Gilray, 1802. Cartoon

Benjamin Disraeli, British Conservative, cartoon from Punch, 1864. Artist: John Tenniel
Benjamin Disraeli (1804-81) British Conservative statesman, cartoon from Punch, 1864. Now, I am on the side of the Angels

Cooks Tourists, 1889. An illustration from Punch, March 1889. Thomas Cook founded the travel company that bore his name in 1841. By the late 1880s the company had offices around the world

Robert Browning, English poet and dramatist, 1882. Born in Camberwell, London, Browning (1812-1889) published his first poem Pauline in 1833

Victor Hugo, French poet, dramatist and novelist, 1867. Artist: Andre Gill
Victor Hugo, French poet, dramatist and novelist, 1867. Born in Besancon, Victor Hugo (1802-1885) was a central figure in the French Romantic movement

Dr Johnson and James Boswell recovering from a hangover after a night on the town. Artist: Thomas Rowlandson
Dr Johnson and James Boswell recovering from a hangover after a night on the town. Boswell has a Bible open and reads: be not filled with wine wherein is excess

Justice to Dreyfus, 1898. Artist: Jean Baptiste Guth
Justice to Dreyfus, 1898. Cartoon of the French novelist Emile Zola (1840-1902) while he was taking refuge in England after being sentenced to a year in prison for his role in the campaign to obtain

Tribute Dew to Ben Nevis, 1883. Artist: Harry Furniss
Tribute Dew to Ben Nevis, 1883. Cartoon marking the opening of a meteorological observatory on the summit of Ben Nevis, Scotland

Benefits of university education for women, 1887. Artist: George du Maurier
Benefits of university education for women, 1887. A young man in a railway carriage offers a graduate of Girton College, Cambridge, some light reading for the journey

Abd-ul-Aziz, Sultan of Turkey from 1861, 1869. Artist: James Tissot
Abd-ul-Aziz, Sultan of Turkey from 1861, 1869. At first liberal and westernising, Abd-ul-Aziz (1830-1876) became autocratic

New letter boxes being mistaken for heating stoves!, 1855. One of Londons first pillar (letter) boxes was erected by the Post Office at the corner of Fleet Street and Farringdon Street

Peace - and No Pieces!, 1866. Artist: John Tenniel
Peace - and No Pieces!, 1866. Napoleon III (1808-1873), French Emperor 1852-1870, dressed as a rag-picker (chiffonnier), warned off by Otto von Bismarck, the Prussian Chancellor

Shades of Louis XIV and Napoleon I lamenting the fading of Frances glory, 1870. Artist: John Tenniel
Shades of Louis XIV and Napoleon I lamenting the fading of Frances glory, 1870. On 5 October 1870 Wilhelm I (1797-1888), King of Prussia (foreground), made Versailles his headquarters

Rival Arbiters, 1866. Artist: John Tenniel
Rival Arbiters, 1866. Napoleon III (1808-1873), Emperor of France, and Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898), Chancellor of Prussia, carving up Europe

Britannia trying to restrain Napoleon III from embarking on war with Germany, 1870. Artist: John Tenniel
Britannia trying to restrain Napoleon III from embarking on war with Germany, 1870. Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871. The French declaration was delivered to Berlin on 19 July

Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell (1857-1941), British soldier, 1900. Baden-Powell offering reassurance that relief is on the way to the besieged town of Mafeking

American reinforcements to aid the Allied troops before the main US Army arrived, World War 1, 1918. Cartoon by L. Ravenhill from Punch, London, 10 April, 1918

American eagle swooping to guard the Atlantic, 1917
American eagle swooping to guard the Atlantic. Cartoon from Punch, London, 18 April 1917 at the time when America promised to assist Britain in patrolling the Atlantic to prevent the sinking of

Henry Thompson (1820-1904), British surgeon, 1874
Henry Thompson (1820-1904), British surgeon (Lithotomy) treated Leopold I and Napoleon III. Founded first Cremation society in London

Free Smallpox vaccination clinic on premises of French newspaper, Paris
Free vaccination clinic on premises of French newspaper. Heffer has shaven portion of flank infected with Cowpox; serum transferred with stylus to arms of waiting Parisians to give immunity to

Gillray cartoon on vaccination against Smallpox using Cowpox serum, 1802. Artist: James Gillray
Gillray cartoon on vaccination against Smallpox using Cowpox serum, 1802. In 1796 the English physician Edward Jenner (1749-1823) proved efficacy of practice, but opposition continued for a while

Dispute over who was the first to reach the North Pole, 1909. American naval officer and explorer Robert E Peary (1856-1920)

Robert Edwin Peary, American naval officer and explorer, 1909. Peary (1856-1920) is generally credited with being the leader of the first successful expidition to the North Pole (1909)

Jack Frost; or, the Future Universal Provider, 1881
Cartoon on the future importance of refrigeration. The figure of Jack Frost is shown in a room containing rows of frozen fish and meat hung from hooks. From Punchs Almanack for 1882

The Pilgrims Rest, caricature af Paul Kruger, South African politician, 1900. Artist: John Tenniel
The Sinking Ship, caricature af Paul Kruger, South African politician, 1900. Known as Oom (uncle) Paul, Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger (1825-1904)

Gandhi fasting in support of Untouchables, 1932. Artist: Leonard Raven-Hill
Gandhi fasting in support of Untouchables, 1932. Mohondas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948), known as Mahatma (Great Soul), Indian Nationalist leader

Greetings cards, c1905-c1920. All with a golfing theme

Sharps the Word!, 1888. The concept of cremation was still a very new one in 1888. However, the problems of living with mother-in-law are unchanging

Window Studies, 1888. The summer weather of 1888 was obviously no more reliable than it is now, as the school sets out on its annual outing. From Punch, or the London Charivari, July 28, 1888

Clearing the Course!, July 7, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain
Clearing the Course!, July 7, 1888. William Henry Smith, First Lord of the Treasury, and his Conservative colleague, Charles Ritchie, attempt to steer the Ship of Government across crowded waters

The Vigil, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain
The Vigil, 1888. Wilhelm II is shown praying for guidance at the foot of the tomb of his late predecessor, Wilhelm I. Wilhelm II was the grandson of Queen Victoria and is here presented as a fine

Might Be Worse!, 1888. When enjoying a days fishing, it is important to ensure that the most important items have been packed. From Punch, or the London Charivari, June 23, 1888

New Friends, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain
New Friends, 1888. Joseph Chamberlain, on the left, raises a toast to Mr Bung. With the franchise being ever extended, a politician must always be on the look-out for new friends

The Red-Tape Tangle, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain
The Red-Tape Tangle, 1888. The Great British Lion roars out his distress, tied down as he is by red tape and officialdom. There were many complaints at the time that the increasing amount of red tape

Three Jolly Post Boys!, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain
Three Jolly Post Boys!, 1888. William Henry Smith is on the left in this cartoon. He was the First Lord of the Treasury and Leader of the House in Lord Salisburys Conservative government

Please (!) Horse, and Tax on Wheels, 1888. A stout, well-dressed gentleman is sitting comfortably as his poor, thin, horse drags the trap over the stony ground

Taking Soundings, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain
Taking Soundings, 1888. The Liberal Leader of the Opposition, Mr Gladstone, is on board ship and taking soundings of recent public opinion

Two Victims of the Turf, 1888. Following the recent enquiry into abuses in horse racing, these two gentlemen are reduced to begging for their living. From Punch, or the London Charivari, May 5, 1888

London Improvements. An Open Space, 1888. Londons traffic was as great a problem in 1888 as it is now. From Punch, or the London Charivari, April 21, 1888

Mr. Punchs Parallels. No. 6, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain
Mr. Punchs Parallels. No. 6, 1888. This cartoon depicts the Liberal Leader of the Opposition, William Gladstone, astride his horse

Master Ritchies Easter-Egg, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain
Master Ritchies Easter-Egg, 1888. This cartoon shows Charles Thomson Ritchie, a member of the Conservative party. He had recently introduced a new Local Government Bill

Consol-ation, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain
Consol-ation, 1888. Mr George Goschen is the Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer, appointed by Salisbury after the resignation of Lord Randolph Churchill

Faust and Mephistopheles, 1888. Faust is the House of Lords and Mr Henry Labouchere MP is Mephistopheles. Labouchere was the latest in a long line of MPs to introduce a proposal to reform the House

Germany. March 9, 1888, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain
Germany. March 9, 1888, 1888. The German Eagle sits mournfully on a rock high above the sinking sun. This cartoon illustrates the recent death of the German Emperor, Wilhelm I of Prussia

The Best of Friends, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain
The Best of Friends, 1888. The Liberal Leader of the Opposition, Mr Gladstone (left), takes a drink with Mr WH Smith from the Conservative Party

Such Good Boys!, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain
Such Good Boys!, 1888. Master Gladstone, the Liberal Leader of the Opposition, and the Conservative Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury, promise to be good boys as Mr Speaker reaches for his birch

Hercules in the Augean Stable, 1888. Hercules attempts to clean the Augean Stables. Recent abuses in the sport of racing had led to an enquiry being set up

The Return of the Wanderer, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain
The Return of the Wanderer, 1888. Little Lord Randolph Churchill returns in a furtive manner, watched by a couple of astute journalists

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Cartoons have long been a powerful medium for social and political commentary, using humor and satire to convey important messages. From the early 19th century to the present day, these illustrations have captured significant moments in history and exposed societal issues. In 1911, an American Socialist poster depicted the capitalist pyramid, highlighting the unequal distribution of wealth in society. This thought-provoking image aimed to raise awareness about economic disparities and advocate for a more equitable system. Another notable cartoon from 1802 by James Gillray satirized Edward Jenner's vaccination efforts against smallpox. Titled "The Cow-Pock, " it cleverly criticized Jenner's controversial method while shedding light on public skepticism towards medical advancements. In 1805, Gillray created another iconic piece titled "The Plumb-pudding in danger, " mocking Napoleon Bonaparte's peace overture with British Prime Minister William Pitt. The cartoon portrayed both leaders carving up the world like a meal, symbolizing their hunger for power during times of conflict. During the mid-19th century, cartoons were also used as a means to address environmental concerns. An 1866 illustration called "Deaths Dispensary" highlighted water pollution as a source of disease, emphasizing the need for clean water sources and proper sanitation practices. Punch magazine contributed its fair share of memorable cartoons too. In 1855, they published an amusing depiction featuring dinosaurs roaming around London's Crystal Palace exhibition—an imaginative blend of science fiction and humor that captivated readers at that time. Moving forward to World War II era propaganda posters; one lithograph from around 1943 featured Potato Pete urging people to join him in attacking enemies—a playful yet persuasive way to encourage support for war efforts through relatable characters. Imperialism was also critiqued through cartoons such as an American illustration from 1882 named "The Devilfish in Egyptian Waters.