A VISION OF UTOPIA

Original 10 1/2 inch x 16 1/4 inch Wood Engraved Cartoon page titled A VISION OF UTOPIA from Punch, December 13, 1881.

The cartoon is by John Tenniel (1820 – 1914). An English illustrator, graphic humourist, and political cartoonist prominent in the second half of the 19th century. He was knighted for his artistic achievements in 1893. Tenniel is remembered especially as the principal political cartoonist for Punch magazine for over 50 years, and for his illustrations to Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There (1871).

Engraved by Joseph Swain (1820 – 1909). an English wood-engraver. He is best known from his engravings in Punch magazine of cartoons by Sir John Tenniel. Swain was one of the most prolific wood-engravers of the nineteenth century. His own work is not always signed, and the signature “Swain sc” must be taken to include the engraving of assistants working for his firm. In the later 19th century his wood-engravings were generally printed from electrotypes; but those done for Punch were printed from the original wood-blocks.

Punch, or The London Charivari, was a British weekly magazine of humour and satire established in 1841 by Henry Mayhew and wood-engraver Ebenezer Landells. Historically, it was most influential in the 1840s and 1850s, when it helped to coin the term “cartoon” in its modern sense as a humorous illustration.

The print is in very good condition with one vertical fold. Reverse side blank.