STABLE COMPANIONS; OR, THE TWO BILLS

Original 10 1/2 inch x 16 1/4 inch Wood Engraved Cartoon page titled STABLE COMPANIONS; OR, THE TWO BILLS from Punch, March 5, 1881.

BILL FORSTER (on “Coercion”). “NOW, THEN, I’VE CLEARED THE WAY!”

BILL GLADSTONE (on “Remedy”). “ALL RIGHT! GENTLRY DOES IT. I’M COMING IN TO WIN!”

William Ewart Gladstone PC FRS FSS (1809 – 1898) was a British statesman and Liberal politician. In a career lasting over 60 years, he served for 12 years as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, spread over four terms beginning in 1868 and ending in 1894. He also served as Chancellor of the Exchequer four times.

William Edward Forster, PC, FRS (1818 – 1886) was an English industrialist, philanthropist and Liberal Party statesman. His staunch advocacy of lethal force against the Land League earned him the nickname Buckshot Forster.

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.