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John Bull Collection (#6)

"John Bull: The Octopus of Imperialism and British Identity" This captivating caption delves into the multifaceted persona of John Bull

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: High Jinks!, 1886. Artist: Joseph Swain

High Jinks!, 1886. Artist: Joseph Swain
High Jinks!, 1886. The Russian Bear can be seen dancing on Bulgarian soil, watched by Prince Bismarck of Germany and Britains representative of law and order, Policeman A1 John Bull

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: The New Captain, 1885. Artist: Joseph Swain

The New Captain, 1885. Artist: Joseph Swain
Mr John Bull, the representative of the British people, is on a boat being sailed by the new Conservative Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: The Dynamite Skunk, 1884. Artist: Joseph Swain

The Dynamite Skunk, 1884. Artist: Joseph Swain
The Dynamite Skunk, 1884. John Bull shouts across the water at America. There had been a number of explosions in London in recent months

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: The International Health Exhibition, 1884. Artist: Joseph Swain

The International Health Exhibition, 1884. Artist: Joseph Swain
The International Health Exhibition, 1884. John Bull, representing Britain, is one of the many walking wounded in this line-up. China, Turkey and Russia are also represented, as are Italy and Spain

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: A Question of Supply, 1884. Artist: Joseph Swain

A Question of Supply, 1884. Artist: Joseph Swain
A Question of Supply, 1884. John Bull, the representative of the British people, tells the Duke of Richmond quite plainly that the proposed Cattle Bill should first

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: The Real Parliamentary Whip, 1884. Artist: Joseph Swain

The Real Parliamentary Whip, 1884. Artist: Joseph Swain
The Real Parliamentary Whip, 1884. Mr Punch encourages Mr John Bull as, armed with a whip labelled public opinion he heads in a determined fashion for the House of Commons

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Why Should England Wait?, 1884

Why Should England Wait?, 1884. John Bull, the representative of the British people, urges the Liberal Prime Minister, Gladstone, to unmuzzle the British Lion

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: The Beast of Burden, 1884. Artist: Joseph Swain

The Beast of Burden, 1884. Artist: Joseph Swain
The Beast of Burden, 1884. John Bull is depicted trying to persuade the camel representing Egypt and laden with political issues, to move, whilst France offers to take over the task

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: The Model School, 1882

The Model School, 1882. A young John Bull shows Mr William Forster his model of a Board School. In Gladstones Liberal administration of 1868-74

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Safe!, 1882. Artist: Joseph Swain

Safe!, 1882. Artist: Joseph Swain
Safe!, 1882. John Bull, able-seaman, is shown tenderly cradling the infant Suez Canal. On the 28th July 1882, it was agreed that the Canal should operate under the joint protection of the six great

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: A Self-Denying Policy!, 1882. Artist: Joseph Swain

A Self-Denying Policy!, 1882. Artist: Joseph Swain
A Self-Denying Policy!, 1882. The French sailor congratulates John Bull on a job well done, and proposes to share in the glory

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Egyptian Bonds, 1882. Artist: Joseph Swain

Egyptian Bonds, 1882. Artist: Joseph Swain
Egyptian Bonds, 1882. John Bull represents the British Navy, and is tied to a small French sailor. At the right of the cartoon is Arabi Pasha who was generally viewed as the representative of a

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: A Tiff, 1881. Artist: Joseph Swain

A Tiff, 1881. Artist: Joseph Swain
A Tiff, 1881. John Bull, the representative of the British people, is at odds with Madame France in this cartoon. This illustrates a dispute between the governments of the two countries after Frances

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Measurable Distance, 1881. Artist: Joseph Swain

Measurable Distance, 1881. Artist: Joseph Swain
Measurable Distance, 1881. Mr John Bull, the representative of the British people is the owner of the ship which the pilot, Prime Minister Gladstone, is attempting to steer into safe harbour

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Humble Pie, 1872. Artist: Joseph Swain

Humble Pie, 1872. Artist: Joseph Swain
Humble Pie, 1872. Mr Bull, the representative of the British people, is presented with a second humble pie by Mr Gladstone in his waiters outfit

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Pity the Poor Garotters!, 1872

Pity the Poor Garotters!, 1872. A ruffian is howling even before the first blow. Watching is John Bull and assorted policemen. This relates to a new wave of garrotting

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: The Loving Cup, 1872. Artist: Joseph Swain

The Loving Cup, 1872. Artist: Joseph Swain
The Loving Cup, 1872. Mr Bull shares a Loving Cup with Colombia. This cartoon relates to the ongoing Alabama dispute, brewing since the end of the American Civil War

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Prosperous John, 1872. Artist: Joseph Swain

Prosperous John, 1872. Artist: Joseph Swain
Prosperous John, 1872. John Bull is the representative of the British people and the people are being raided of their earnings through income tax. He also represents the national purse

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Jeremy Diddlowe, 1872. Artist: Joseph Swain

Jeremy Diddlowe, 1872. Artist: Joseph Swain
Jeremy Diddlowe, 1872. Robert Lowe, Gladstones Chancellor of the Exchequer, is depicted as Jeremy Diddlowe. He is presenting John Bull, the representative of the British people, with twopence

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: A Still Bigger Claimant, 1872. Artist: Joseph Swain

A Still Bigger Claimant, 1872. Artist: Joseph Swain
A Still Bigger Claimant, 1872. John Bull, the representative of the British people, is dwarfed by a huge American claim. The claim is being inflated by the representative of the American

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: All in the Downs, 1871. Artist: Joseph Swain

All in the Downs, 1871. Artist: Joseph Swain
All in the Downs, 1871. Edward Cardwell, Liberal Secretary for War during the period 1868-1874 is on the right facing a stout John Bull

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Following a Bad Lead, 1870. Artist: Joseph Swain

Following a Bad Lead, 1870. Artist: Joseph Swain
Following a Bad Lead, 1870. John Bull exclaims Hullo, Gentlemen! Two Revokes! You ll Lose the game by Tricks John Bull, the representative of the British people

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Six of One and Half-a-Dozen of The Other, 1870. Artist: Joseph Swain

Six of One and Half-a-Dozen of The Other, 1870. Artist: Joseph Swain
Six of One and Half-a-Dozen of The Other!, 1870. John Bull, the representative of the British people, sits majestically in the centre, with Napoleon III of France to his left

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Obstructives, 1870. Artist: Joseph Swain

Obstructives, 1870. Artist: Joseph Swain
Obstructives, 1870. In the doorway of the school, a variety of Ministers and Nonconformists argue, whilst Mr Punch tells Policeman Bull that this prevents the two working-class children from entering

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: The Three R s; Or, Better Late Than Never, 1870. Artist: Joseph Swain

The Three R s; Or, Better Late Than Never, 1870. Artist: Joseph Swain
The Three R s; Or, Better Late Than Never, 1870. In February 1870 Forster introduced his Elementary Education Bill in Parliament

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Great Boon to Our Household Guards, 1870. Artist: Joseph Swain

Great Boon to Our Household Guards, 1870. Artist: Joseph Swain
Great Boon to Our Household Guards, 1870. This cartoon refers specifically to the Metropolitan force, set up originally in 1829

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Remember!, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain

Remember!, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain
Remember!, 1888. John Bull, the representative of the British people, looks at a map to find out the location of Suakin (Sudan)

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Barbarians at Play, 1888

Barbarians at Play, 1888. John Bull recommends that if football is to be a young mans chosen sport, then let it be the game of gentlemen. From Punch, or the London Charivari, November 3, 1888

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Keeping the Ring, 1876. Artist: Joseph Swain

Keeping the Ring, 1876. Artist: Joseph Swain
Keeping the Ring, 1876. Turkey, brandishing a sword, is beset on all sides by the dogs of war, Servia, Montenegro, Herzegovina and Bosnia

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: A Voice from the Clouds, 1875. Artist: Joseph Swain

A Voice from the Clouds, 1875. Artist: Joseph Swain
A Voice from the Clouds, 1875. John Bull, the representative of the British people, stands up to his thighs in flood water, surrounded by the wreckage of household furniture

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Loss and Gain, 1875. Artist: Joseph Swain

Loss and Gain, 1875. Artist: Joseph Swain
Loss and Gain, 1875. John Bull, the representative of the British people, stands with Mr Punch on the coast of Ireland and looks into the gloom

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Home-(Rule)-Opathy, 1874. Artist: Joseph Swain

Home-(Rule)-Opathy, 1874. Artist: Joseph Swain
Home-(Rule)-Opathy, 1874. Mr Isaac Butt, the moderate leader of the Irish Home Rule Party opens a box labelled Home Rule. Ireland sits by her small fire with her meagre possessions on a stool beside

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Bob and The Bobby, Or Only His Fun, 1869. Artist: Joseph Swain

Bob and The Bobby, Or Only His Fun, 1869. Artist: Joseph Swain
Bob and The Bobby, Or Only His Fun, 1869. Robert Lowe, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, had proposed devaluing the sovereign by one per cent

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Humble Pie (?), 1869. Artist: John Tenniel

Humble Pie (?), 1869. Artist: John Tenniel
Humble Pie (?), 1869. After the American Civil War, the US government claimed compensation was due from Britain in respect of the damage done by the Alabama

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Our Siamese Twins, 1869. Artist: John Tenniel

Our Siamese Twins, 1869. Artist: John Tenniel
Our Siamese Twins, 1869. Mr Gladstone was the new Prime Minister following 1868s late General Election. One of his first acts was to start preparing for the disestablishment of the Irish Church

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: The Reform Bill, 1866. Frantic Excitement!!!, 1866. Artist: John Tenniel

The Reform Bill, 1866. Frantic Excitement!!!, 1866. Artist: John Tenniel
The Reform Bill, 1866. Frantic Excitement!!!, 1866. Mr and Mrs John Bull, representing the people of Britain, doze over their newspapers which, without exception

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: The Golden Wedding; or, Fifty Years Jubilee of Peace, 1865. Artist: John Tenniel

The Golden Wedding; or, Fifty Years Jubilee of Peace, 1865. Artist: John Tenniel
The Golden Wedding; or, Fifty Years Jubilee of Peace, 1865. This Jubilee is celebrated by Punch and shows, left to right, John Bull, Napoleon III, France and Britannia

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: The Election Budget, 1865. Artist: John Tenniel

The Election Budget, 1865. Artist: John Tenniel
The Election Budget, 1865. Gladstone exclaims I Think, Mr Bull, We may now Reckon on Your Support! Gladstone gives John Bull some pennies and his wife a packet of tea

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Colonists and Convicts 1864. Artist: John Tenniel

Colonists and Convicts 1864. Artist: John Tenniel
Colonists and Convicts, 1864. Australian Colonist says: Now, Mr. Bull! Don t shoot any more of your Rubbish here, or I shall Quarrel

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: English Assassin Painted by France, 1864. Artist: John Tenniel

English Assassin Painted by France, 1864. Artist: John Tenniel
English Assassin Painted by France, 1864. The distance between France and Britain at this time is illustrated by the comment made by M Le Verrier

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Our Danish Difficulty, 1864. Artist: John Tenniel

Our Danish Difficulty, 1864. Artist: John Tenniel
Our Danish Difficulty, 1864. Here we see John Bull with the Danish Princess of Wales on one side, and Princess Victoria, daughter-in-law of the King of Prussia, on the other

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: John Bulls Neutrality, 1863. Artist: John Tenniel

John Bulls Neutrality, 1863. Artist: John Tenniel
John Bulls Neutrality, 1863. Look Here, Boys, I Don t Care Twopence For Your Noise, But If You Throw Stones At My Windows, I Must Thrash You Both

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: The Derby 1863 - Portrait of The Winner, 1863. Artist: John Tenniel

The Derby 1863 - Portrait of The Winner, 1863. Artist: John Tenniel
The Derby 1863 - Portrait of The Winner, 1863. A topical cartoon from Punch. Palmerston, trainer of the British people, welcomes home the Derby winner

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: A Growl for Poland, 1863. Artist: John Tenniel

A Growl for Poland, 1863. Artist: John Tenniel
A Growl For Poland, 1863. Mr. Bull. Ah, Old Dog - You d Like To Have Another Run At That Bear, Wouldn t You; But You Won t This Time

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Sawney Stops The Way, 1862

Sawney Stops The Way, 1862. A Bill was presented to parliament which would give the Metropolitan Board of Works the authority to embank the River Thames from Westminster to Blackfriars

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: A Sensible Move. 1860

A Sensible Move. 1860. Napoleon III giving John Bull, the representative of the British people, the key to the door of France, remarking There, M sieur Bool! No more nonsense about Passports

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: Corn versus Chaff, 1860

Corn versus Chaff, 1860. John Bull represents the agricultural worker in the heat of the day working to gather the harvest so that the people may be fed through the coming winter

Background imageJohn Bull Collection: An Uncommonly Civil War, 1860

An Uncommonly Civil War, 1860. Mr Bull says: Allow me, my Dear Emperor, to Introduce your Notice these Beautiful Diamonds!




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"John Bull: The Octopus of Imperialism and British Identity" This captivating caption delves into the multifaceted persona of John Bull, symbolizing England's influence across continents. In an American cartoon from 1882 titled "The Devilfish in Egyptian Waters, " John Bull is depicted as an octopus, representing imperialism's relentless grasp on land worldwide. Another intriguing portrayal comes in the form of "John Bull taking Luncheon or British Cooks cramming Old Grumble Gizzard with Bonne Chere. " This image showcases British cooks filling John Bull's stomach with delectable delicacies, reflecting the nation's indulgence and comfort during that era. Moving back to history, we encounter a thought-provoking piece called "The Modern Job. Or John Bull and his Comforts. " dating back to 1816. This artwork sheds light on Britain's resilience amidst challenges faced during those times. Fast forward to May 1926 when Britain experienced a general strike; this event finds its place in our collection. A powerful depiction captures the essence of this significant moment for workers' rights within the country. Naval rivalry between Britain is humorously portrayed in a Punch cartoon titled "Poker and Tongs. " Through clever imagery, it highlights the competitive nature surrounding naval dominance at that time. "The Partition of China at the time of Boxer Rebellion" takes us to 1900 when global powers divided Chinese territories. This visual representation emphasizes how John Bull played a role alongside other nations in shaping world affairs during this tumultuous period. Shifting gears slightly, we explore another influential doctrine through a Monroe Doctrine Cartoon. It illustrates America asserting its authority over Latin America while showcasing how Britain observed these developments closely. Delving deeper into history reveals an early instance of income tax implementation through an artwork from 1798 aptly named "Income Tax. " Here we witness one facet contributing to John Bull's financial stability throughout centuries past.