GILLRAY, James, 1756-1815 [after]

[Caricature] Effusions of a Pot of Porter,—or—Ministerial Conjurations for Supporting the War

n.p., n.d. A reduced early nineteenth-century copy of BM Satires 9430, lampooning the abnormally bad weather of 1799 and the rising cost of the Napoleonic war. Etching and aquatint on laid paper with original hand coloring: Image: 205 x 165mm; Plate: 222 x 178mm; Sheet: 243 x 191mm. Vertical and horizontal folds as issued, but an excellent impression with rich coloring. BM Satires VII. Gillray Observed, pp. Fine. Item #BB2166

Originally published November 29, 1799, by Hannah Humphrey, 27, St. James's Street. This copy of from volume 5 of London und Paris (Weimar, 1800), the rare satirical journal reprinting reduced copies, mostly unsigned, of English and French caricatures. In the print, a large frothing tankard stands on a cask whose head forms the base of the design. From the froth Pitt emerges as Death on the White Horse, giving the effect of a fantastic equestrian statue on a high pedestal. Pitt is in back view; in his right hand is a flaming sword, his left arm is raised; he turns his head slightly to the right, his right leg is extended; he wears his ordinary dress with heavily spurred top-boots. His head is the center of rays on which his orders are inscribed: "Bella! Horrida Bella!" On the left are heavy clouds about to cover the sun; rays to the left are inscribed: "Sun get thee to Bed! Myself will Light ye World' and 'Ho Rains! - Deluges! - Drown the Harvest!" Slanting rain descends in torrents from the clouds, battering down heads of wheat and obscuring a cottage in the background. On the right are the winds: four cherubs' heads blowing violent blasts in every direction, two of which are filled with swarms of insects. Rays to the right are inscribed: "Pestiferous Winds! blast the fruits of the Earth!" and "Ho! Flies! Grubs, Caterpillars! destroy the Hops!" The blasts strike hops twined round poles on the right of the design. On the tankard is a large '4' within a circle inscribed 'Pro-Bono-Ministero', and a small 'WP' with the Pitt crest of stork and anchor. On the cask a long lighted pipe inscribed "Bellendenus" lies across a paper of tobacco inscribed : "Ruin upon Ruin, or an Essay on the Ways & Means for supporting the cursed War."The title continues: "as lately discover'd by Dr P-----r, in the Froth & Fumes of his favorite Beverage." N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books and prints in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Price: $251.00