Fine Original Signed Pen and Ink Cartoon, titled 'The Crop', (Sir Francis Carruthers, 1844-1925, Caricaturist and Journalist)

signed with his initials, showing Lord Rosebery, (Archibald Philip Primrose, 1847-1929, 5th Earl), who in 1894 had taken over the Liberal Government from Gladstone on the latter's resigning from advanced age, standing on the shore, and pointing regretfully at plants growing in the sand, including the Marquess of Salisbury (now Conservative Prime Minister) and his nephew A.J. Balfour (Leader of the House of Commons) as a thistle, while a crowd of well-drawn faces, many in farmers' smocks and tall hats, look on, bewildered at the outcome of the general election, heads of Gladstone and previous ministers are seen drowning in the waves, 8¾" x 14" on card hinged in folding window mount 20" x 15", no date, circa June Gould made his name by his cartoon drawings of his fellow stockbrokers. By 1893 he was on the staff of the new Westminster Gazette (assistant editor, 1896), with its daily cartoon on the front page. Consistently Liberal in politics, his caricatures of Unionists were often eagerly sought by their subjects. Lord Rosebery had inherited from Gladstone a position on Home Rule for Ireland over which Parliament, the Liberals and the country were deeply divided. His government majorities dwindled, and an election was called after defeat in a 'snap' vote on a supply issue. With notes on the verso about publication, including '1895', 'No. 376', 'W', and on recto under mount 'Proof wanted for Tuesday next'.…