A block for the wigs, or, The new state whirligig [graphic].

Published/Created:

[London]
Pubd. May 5th, 1783, by W. Humphrey, No. 227 Strand
[5 May 1783]

Copyright Date:

[5 May 1783]

Physical Description:

1 print : etching on wove paper ; sheet 25 x 36 cm

Related Links:

Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 5, no. 6227
Wright, T. Works of James Gillray, the caricaturist with the history of his life and times, p. 48

Notes:

Title from item.
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue.
Text above image in upper left: Poor John Bull's house plunder'd at noon day.
Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
Mounted to 30 x 41 cm.

Abstract:

The new ministry is depicted on a large carousel, erected in front of the "Crown and Royal Bob" Inn. The structure is supported by a center pole held in place by pegs labelled "Treasury," "Navy" and "Army" terminating at the top with the head of the King in the form of a wig block. Fox, with a fox's head and tail, leads the procession, holding a bag of money. Behind him, Lord North on a horse with its legs cut short, loses his wig; Burke in Jesuit's habit and on a similarly lame horse, has partially turned into a skeleton due to his economical reform; Admiral Keppel behind him is desperate to remain seated on his donkey. Lastly a Scotsman labelled "President" signifies Scottish influence over the Crown. Watching from a seat before the Inn, a complacent John Bull mouths slogans of liberty, unaware that his house is being plundered behind him.

Variant Titles:

New state whirligig

Associated Names:

Gillray, James, 1756-1815 [Printmaker]
Humphrey, William, approximately 1740-approximately 1810 [Publisher]

Topics:

Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797
Flags --
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820
John Bull (Symbolic character)
Keppel, Augustus Keppel, Viscount, 1725-1786
Merry-go-rounds
North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792
Taverns (Inns)
Wigs

Topics:

Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1760-1789

Language:

English

Genre:

Etchings -- England -- London -- 1783
Satires (Visual works) -- England -- 1783

Format:

Image

Content Type:

Prints & Photographs

Rights:

These images are provided for study purposes only. For publication or other use of images from the Library's collection, please contact the Lewis Walpole Library at walpole@yale.edu. Further details on the Library's photoduplication policy are available at http://www.library.yale.edu/walpole/html/research/rights_reproductions.html

Call Number:

783.05.05.01+ Impression 1

Orbis Record:

6819320

Yale Collection:

Lewis Walpole Library

Digital Collection:

Lewis Walpole Library

Local Record Number:

lwlpr05193

Volume/Enumeration:

Digital version

OID:

10724757

PID:

digcoll:552657