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Society, Set of Six, 1883
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Victorian Vanity Fair Caricatures, Parliament
Society, Set of Six, 1883
$1,715.98per set
£1,282.30per set
€1,450per set
CA$2,389.41per set
A$2,567.67per set
CHF 1,377.71per set
MX$30,245.63per set
NOK 17,323.12per set
SEK 15,824.56per set
DKK 11,053.46per set
About the Item
Victorian Vanity Fair Caricatures, Parliament
Society, Set of Six, 1883
Description
This distinguished set of six original Vanity Fair chromolithographs from 1883 presents a focused portrait of late Victorian parliamentary life and social character, bringing together politicians, legal authorities, industrialists, and aristocratic figures whose influence shaped British public affairs. Issued during Vanity Fair’s golden age and printed by Vincent Brooks, Day
Son, these full-length caricatures are celebrated for their refined draughtsmanship, restrained humour, and keen observation of personality and reputation.
Note: The prints are offered unframed, enabling custom framing to personal or interior preferences.
The set includes Sir Edward Arthur Henry Lechmere Bt MP, portrayed under the caption “St John of Jerusalem,” reflecting his strong Anglican convictions and association with the Order of St John; Robert William Duff MP of Fetteresso, a Scottish Liberal politician closely connected to landed and reformist interests; and Charles Clough Tennant MP, shown as “Glasgow,” representing the industrial and commercial power of Victorian urban Britain. Parliamentary society is further represented by Thomas Thornhill MP, familiarly known as “Tom,” whose long career and approachable manner made him a well-known figure in Westminster circles.
Legal authority and moral seriousness are embodied by Richard Everard Webster QC, captioned “Law and Conscience,” a leading barrister who later rose to become Attorney General and Lord Chief Justice of England. Completing the group is Lord Gerald FitzGerald, depicted as “A Wandering Minstrel,” an Irish aristocrat celebrated in Victorian society for his unconventional temperament, artistic leanings, and restless independence.
Visually, the six prints form a cohesive and balanced ensemble, unified by consistent format, palette, and date. The pale grounds, controlled hand-colouring, and confident yet individualized poses create a calm, architectural rhythm that translates exceptionally well to refined interiors. Together, the group captures a distinctly Victorian blend of authority, individuality, and social identity, making it particularly appealing for libraries, studies, club rooms, or sophisticated hospitality settings.
Condition:
Overall very good original condition. Light, even age toning throughout, with occasional small scattered spots or faint handling marks consistent with 19th-century paper. The chromolithographed images remain crisp and unfaded, with no major tears, losses, or restorations observed. Margins are ample and suitable for framing.
Framing tips:
For an elevated and cohesive presentation, frame all six prints uniformly in dark walnut, ebonised wood, or antique-style gilt frames with generous ivory or warm off-white mounts. Museum or UV-protective glass is recommended. The set works particularly well arranged in a balanced two-by-three configuration or as a linear display in a library or study.
Keywords:
Vanity Fair, Victorian caricature, antique prints, British Parliament, Victorian politics, legal history, industrial Britain, chromolithograph, 19th century art, set of six, library decor, study interior, luxury wall art
Technique: Chromolithography
Maker: Vincent Brooks, Day
Son, London, 1883
- Dimensions:Height: 14.97 in (38 cm)Width: 10.24 in (26 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
- Sold As:Set of 6
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1883
- Condition:Overall very good original condition. Light, even age toning throughout, with occasional small scattered spots or faint handling marks consistent with 19th-century paper. The chromolithographed images remain crisp and unfaded.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-14157-19, -20, -21, -22, -23, -241stDibs: LU3054348314272
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Vanity Fair was a weekly magazine published in London, founded & edited by Thomas Gibson Bowles. His aim was to expose to contemporary vanities of Victorian society. From 1868 to 1914, full page colour lithographs appeared in most weekly issues, frequently lampooning or lauding their subjects which included artists, athletes, royalty, politicians, scientists, authors, actors, sportsmen, lawyers, diplomats, soldiers, clergy, scholars and other celebrities of the day - mostly British, but also many other internationally significant personalities. Over 2,300 of these colour cartoons were printed, and they are considered the chief cultural legacy of the magazine, forming a pictorial record of many of the most significant public figures of the period. They are renowned throughout the world and highly collectible and recognisable. Famous artists contributed to Vanity Fair, typically under pen names. The best remembered today is Leslie Ward (1851-1922), who signed his works as "Spy", and whose caricatures account for well over half of those featured in Vanity Fair. So famous have these fabulous prints become, Vanity Fair caricatures today often are referred to simply as "Spy Cartoons...
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