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Speech Bubble Collection (#2)

In the world of art and satire, speech bubbles have been used to convey powerful messages for centuries

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: An Accouchment, published March 30, 1812. Creator: Charles Williams

An Accouchment, published March 30, 1812. Creator: Charles Williams
An Accouchment, published March 30, 1812

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: New Ministers Going on Duty, published February 14, 1806. Creator: Charles Williams

New Ministers Going on Duty, published February 14, 1806. Creator: Charles Williams
New Ministers Going on Duty, published February 14, 1806

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Hungry Rats in an Empty Barn, published March 1806. Creator: Charles Williams

Hungry Rats in an Empty Barn, published March 1806. Creator: Charles Williams
Hungry Rats in an Empty Barn, published March 1806

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: John Bulls First Visit to his Old Friend the New Secretary, published March 3, 1806

John Bulls First Visit to his Old Friend the New Secretary, published March 3, 1806

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: The Honors of the Sitting, published January 30, 1805. Creator: Charles Williams

The Honors of the Sitting, published January 30, 1805. Creator: Charles Williams
The Honors of the Sitting, published January 30, 1805

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: The Brazen Image Erected on a Pedestal Wrought by Himself, published May 29, 1802

The Brazen Image Erected on a Pedestal Wrought by Himself, published May 29, 1802

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Plebean Spirit, published July 25, 1814. Creator: Charles Williams

Plebean Spirit, published July 25, 1814. Creator: Charles Williams
Plebean Spirit, published July 25, 1814

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: A Scene in the New Farce Called The Rivals, 1819. Creator: Charles Williams

A Scene in the New Farce Called The Rivals, 1819. Creator: Charles Williams
A Scene in the New Farce Called The Rivals, 1819

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Dismal Dandies, or General Mourning & Crape, c. 1819. Creator: Charles Williams

Dismal Dandies, or General Mourning & Crape, c. 1819. Creator: Charles Williams
Dismal Dandies, or General Mourning & Crape, c. 1819

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Skaiting Dandies, shewing off, c. 1818. Creator: Charles Williams

Skaiting Dandies, shewing off, c. 1818. Creator: Charles Williams
Skaiting Dandies, shewing off, c. 1818

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: New Reading, or Shakspeare [sic] Improved. Humbly Dedicated to the Keen Critic of Drury

New Reading, or Shakspeare [sic] Improved. Humbly Dedicated to the Keen Critic of Drury Lane, by a Poor Author, 1819

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Equity, or a Sailors Prayer before Battle, 1805. Creator: Charles Williams

Equity, or a Sailors Prayer before Battle, 1805. Creator: Charles Williams
Equity, or a Sailors Prayer before Battle, 1805

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Billy in the Salt Box, 1805. Creator: Charles Williams

Billy in the Salt Box, 1805. Creator: Charles Williams
Billy in the Salt Box, 1805

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Carlo the Great, Running Away with the East Indes, published June 1806

Carlo the Great, Running Away with the East Indes, published June 1806

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: A Grand Country Dance, 1805. Creator: Charles Williams

A Grand Country Dance, 1805. Creator: Charles Williams
A Grand Country Dance, 1805

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: The Disconsolate Sailor, 1811. Creator: Charles Williams

The Disconsolate Sailor, 1811. Creator: Charles Williams
The Disconsolate Sailor, 1811

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Boney Forsaken by his Guardian Genius, 1814. Creator: Charles Williams

Boney Forsaken by his Guardian Genius, 1814. Creator: Charles Williams
Boney Forsaken by his Guardian Genius, 1814

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Fishing for Flats, published July 25, 1806. Creator: Charles Williams

Fishing for Flats, published July 25, 1806. Creator: Charles Williams
Fishing for Flats, published July 25, 1806

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Quid est?- Why Brighton dandies. !!!, published January 1819. Creator: Charles Williams

Quid est?- Why Brighton dandies. !!!, published January 1819. Creator: Charles Williams
Quid est?- Why Brighton dandies.!!!, published January 1819

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Leap Year, published March 1816. Creator: Charles Williams

Leap Year, published March 1816. Creator: Charles Williams
Leap Year, published March 1816

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: The Haberdasher Dandy, 1817-20. Creator: Charles Williams

The Haberdasher Dandy, 1817-20. Creator: Charles Williams
The Haberdasher Dandy, 1817-20

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: The Parsons Hobby, or Comfort for a Welch Curate, 1819. Creator: Charles Williams

The Parsons Hobby, or Comfort for a Welch Curate, 1819. Creator: Charles Williams
The Parsons Hobby, or Comfort for a Welch Curate, 1819

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Match Against Time, or Wood beats Blood and Bone, published April 17, 1819

Match Against Time, or Wood beats Blood and Bone, published April 17, 1819

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: The Generous Master, 1819. Creator: Charles Williams

The Generous Master, 1819. Creator: Charles Williams
The Generous Master, 1819

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: The Honeymoon, 1806. Creator: Charles Williams

The Honeymoon, 1806. Creator: Charles Williams
The Honeymoon, 1806

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: A Charm for a Democracy, Reviewed, Analysed, & Destroyed Jan 1 1799 to the Conf

A Charm for a Democracy, Reviewed, Analysed, & Destroyed Jan 1 1799 to the Confusion of its Affiliated Friends, January 1, 1799

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: The Pitt Fall, January 1789. Creator: Frederick George Byron

The Pitt Fall, January 1789. Creator: Frederick George Byron
The Pitt Fall, January 1789. Formerly attributed to Thomas Rowlandson

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Frontispiece to The Saints Everlasting Rest by Richard Baxter (engraving)

Frontispiece to The Saints Everlasting Rest by Richard Baxter (engraving)
XJF365305 Frontispiece to The Saints Everlasting Rest by Richard Baxter (engraving) by English School, (17th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Bombardinian (hand-coloured etching)

Bombardinian (hand-coloured etching)
NCO193432 Bombardinian (hand-coloured etching) by English School, (18th century); Courtesy of the Warden and Scholars of New College, Oxford; English, out of copyright

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Anti-Saccharites, or John Bull and his Family leaving off the use of Sugar

Anti-Saccharites, or John Bull and his Family leaving off the use of Sugar
NCO190496 Anti-Saccharites, or John Bull and his Family leaving off the use of Sugar, published by Hannah Humphrey in 1792 (hand-coloured etching) by Gillray

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: A Peep into the Shakespeare Gallery, published by Hannah Humphrey in 1791

A Peep into the Shakespeare Gallery, published by Hannah Humphrey in 1791
NCO191715 A Peep into the Shakespeare Gallery, published by Hannah Humphrey in 1791 (hand-coloured etching) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Courtesy of the Warden and Scholars of New College

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: A Coward comforted, or A Scene immediately after the Duel, published by J

A Coward comforted, or A Scene immediately after the Duel, published by J
NCO191701 A Coward comforted, or A Scene immediately after the Duel, published by J. Aitken in 1789 (hand-coloured etching) by English School

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: On Leave, (watercolour and pencil on board)

On Leave, (watercolour and pencil on board)
985341 On Leave, (watercolour and pencil on board) by Demuth, Charles (1883-1935); 27x19 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: On Leave. Charles Demuth (1883-1935). Watercolour and pencil on board

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: The Animal Tamer Presents, 1918 (watercolor and pencil on paper)

The Animal Tamer Presents, 1918 (watercolor and pencil on paper)
650979 The Animal Tamer Presents, 1918 (watercolor and pencil on paper) by Demuth, Charles (1883-1935); 32.7x20.1 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Animal Tamer Presents)

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Brixton Purgatory, 1822 (hand-coloured etching)

Brixton Purgatory, 1822 (hand-coloured etching)
483058 Brixton Purgatory, 1822 (hand-coloured etching) by English School, (19th century); London Metropolitan Archives, City of London; (add.info.: Shows the prisoners Theodore Hook, William Cobbett)

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: An Enemy to Parochial Peculators!, 1807 (hand-coloured etching)

An Enemy to Parochial Peculators!, 1807 (hand-coloured etching)
CHL404786 An Enemy to Parochial Peculators!, 1807 (hand-coloured etching) by English School, (19th century); 20.7x17.4 cm; Chethams Library, Manchester, UK; (add.info.: portrait of Thomas Battye)

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Scotch Harrys News, or Nincumpoop in high Glee, published by J

Scotch Harrys News, or Nincumpoop in high Glee, published by J
NCO190423 Scotch Harrys News, or Nincumpoop in high Glee, published by J. Aitken in 1792 (hand-coloured etching) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Courtesy of the Warden and Scholars of New College

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Soldiers on a march to Buffalo, 1813 (etching)

Soldiers on a march to Buffalo, 1813 (etching)
AQS331996 Soldiers on a march to Buffalo, 1813 (etching) by American School, (19th century); 24.3x34.7 cm; American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA; eCourtesy

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: A peep into the anti-Federal Club (engraving)

A peep into the anti-Federal Club (engraving)
AQS331987 A peep into the anti-Federal Club (engraving) by American School, (18th century); 30.3x44.4 cm; American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA; eCourtesy

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Apothecaries, Taylors & Co. conquering France and Spain (hand-coloured etching)

Apothecaries, Taylors & Co. conquering France and Spain (hand-coloured etching)
NCO193430 Apothecaries, Taylors & Co. conquering France and Spain (hand-coloured etching) by English School, (18th century); Courtesy of the Warden and Scholars of New College, Oxford; English

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: The Wine Duty, or The Triumph of Bacchus and Silenus with John Bulls Remonstrance

The Wine Duty, or The Triumph of Bacchus and Silenus with John Bulls Remonstrance
NCO190469 The Wine Duty, or The Triumph of Bacchus and Silenus with John Bulls Remonstrance, published by Hannah Humphrey in 1796 (hand-coloured etching) by Gillray

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: The Caneing in Conduit Street, published by Hannah Humphrey in 1796

The Caneing in Conduit Street, published by Hannah Humphrey in 1796
NCO191729 The Caneing in Conduit Street, published by Hannah Humphrey in 1796 (hand-coloured etching) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Courtesy of the Warden and Scholars of New College

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: The First Kiss this Ten Years! Or the meeting of Britannia & Citizen Francois, pub

The First Kiss this Ten Years! Or the meeting of Britannia & Citizen Francois, pub
2490889 The First Kiss this Ten Years! Or the meeting of Britannia & Citizen Francois, pub. 1803 (hand coloured engraving) by Gillray

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Scandal refuted, or Billingsgate virtue, 1818 (hand-coloured etching)

Scandal refuted, or Billingsgate virtue, 1818 (hand-coloured etching)
483059 Scandal refuted, or Billingsgate virtue, 1818 (hand-coloured etching) by Williams, C. (19th century); 35x24 cm; London Metropolitan Archives

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: The End of the Lottery, 1826 (etching)

The End of the Lottery, 1826 (etching)
GHL239451 The End of the Lottery, 1826 (etching) by Cruikshank, Isaac Robert (1789-1856); London Metropolitan Archives, City of London; (add.info.: All lotteries will end for ever)

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: A Justass of the Peace Returning from Sessions (w / c on paper)

A Justass of the Peace Returning from Sessions (w / c on paper)
WSG91176 A Justass of the Peace Returning from Sessions (w/c on paper) by Bunbury, Henry William (1750-1811); 50.8x42 cm; Private Collection; Wingfield Sporting Gallery, London, UK; English

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: King Henry IV: the Last Scene, published by S. W. Fores in 1788 (hand-coloured etching)

King Henry IV: the Last Scene, published by S. W. Fores in 1788 (hand-coloured etching)
NCO193121 King Henry IV: the Last Scene, published by S.W. Fores in 1788 (hand-coloured etching) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Courtesy of the Warden and Scholars of New College

Background imageSpeech Bubble Collection: Jack a Both Sides, published by William Humphrey in 1783 (hand-coloured etching)

Jack a Both Sides, published by William Humphrey in 1783 (hand-coloured etching)
NCO190476 Jack a Both Sides, published by William Humphrey in 1783 (hand-coloured etching) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Courtesy of the Warden and Scholars of New College




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In the world of art and satire, speech bubbles have been used to convey powerful messages for centuries. Take, for example, "The King of Brobdingnag and Gulliver, " a political cartoon published by Hannah Humphrey in 1803. Through cleverly placed speech bubbles, this artwork depicted Bank Notes and Paper Money as French Alarmists causing distress to poor John Bull. Similarly, in "Horrors of the Irish Union: Botheration of Poor Pat, or A Whisper across the Channel, " speech bubbles were employed to highlight the difference between law and justice in 1809. Isaac Cruikshank's artistic genius allowed viewers to witness the power these simple captions held. "The Prospect Before Us" from 1788 utilized pen & ink along with wash over graphite on paper to capture attention-grabbing dialogue within speech bubbles. This technique brought life to scenes that otherwise may have gone unnoticed. Even beyond politics, speech bubbles found their place among nature-inspired illustrations like "Flock of Common Starling gathering before landing at winter roost. " These seemingly insignificant birds became storytellers through their animated conversations enclosed within thought-provoking quotation marks. James Gillray's masterpiece "Napoleon and King George III as Gulliver and the King of Brobdingnag" showcased how speech bubbles could transform historical figures into satirical characters. The witty exchanges portrayed Napoleon's ambitions against Britain's resilience during July 1803. Matthew Darly's creation titled "The Commissioners" ingeniously incorporated speech bubbles into an April Fool's Day satire back in 1778. It demonstrated how even humor can be enhanced by giving voice to its subjects. In early nineteenth-century England, a ballad seller captured attention not only through colorful engravings but also via strategically placed text inside vibrant speech balloons. These captivating visuals drew people closer while enticing them with lyrical tales. Meanwhile, Buonaparte made his mark with "48 Hours after Landing. " in 1803.