Original Political Cartoon, in pencil, signed with his monogram 'JT', (Sir John, 1820-1914, Caricaturist & Illustrator of 'Alice in Wonderland')

TENNIEL

Published by Publication Date: 1868

of the Angel of Peace confronting Napoleon III in civilian dress, who attempts to disarm her by raising his hat to her, she points to the numbers of soldiers listed on a sheet in her hand, 'L'Armée Françoise 800,000' and 'Garde Nationale 400,000', in the background French troops are marching past with fixed bayonets, 8" x 6¼" in margins 10½" x 7½" on stiff paper, lightly held in a folding window mount 14½" x 12¼", no place, no date, but The two figures are finely drawn, the soldiers behind them lightly indicated. This drawing appeared in 'Punch' on 18th January 1868, (Vol. 54, p. 27), under the title 'A Peace Movement (?)', with a short interchange printed below. Peace asks 'Pray, what does this mean, Your Majesty?'. Napoleon III replies, 'Entirely in your interest, dear Madam, Special Constables, merely - My Special Constables'. A similar figure of Peace occurs in Tenniel's drawing of 29th September 1866 (Vol. 50, page 133, 'Vulcan's Best Customer'). Vulcan complains that thanks to her, his Cyclops have all downed tools, and he is left to fulfil the massive orders, listed in the corner of that drawing, by himself. Both drawings refer to the great rearmament by France and Germany following the German Civil War in 1866, which culminated in the war of 1870. 'Special Constables' were much in the news in Great Britain, large numbers having been drafted in to cope with the Fenians. Tenniel was the chief political cartoonist for 'Punch' from 1864 to 1901. It is fascinating to compare this drawing with the 'Punch' version (photocopy included) and to see how the engraver has heightened certain effects, such as Napoleon III's ingratiating pose, the details of Peace's wings, and her expression of disapproval. Seller Inventory # 54242

Bibliographic Details

Title: Original Political Cartoon, in pencil, ...
Publication Date: 1868