The state auction [graphic].

Published/Created:

[London]
Pubd. March 26th by W. Humphrey No. 227 Strand
1784

Physical Description:

1 print : etching ; sheet 26 x 37 cm.

Related Links:

Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 6, no. 6469

Notes:

Title etched below image.
Sheet trimmed within plate mark with partial loss of imprint.
Printmaker from George.
Reissue for the History of the Westminster election, 1784, p. 48. See British Museum Catalogue.
Mounted to 30 x 41 cm.

Abstract:

William Pitt, acting as an auctioneer in the dissoluted Parliament, sells from the rostrum decorated with Royal Arms "useless valuables," such as "Magna Charta." Corwall, the Speaker sitting below the rostrum, records bids in the "Sundry acts." In front of him stands Thurlow in Chancellor's robes making dismissive comment on "nonsensical bidings of those common fellows," i.e. members of the House of Commons who leave through the door on the left. Last of them, Fox, turns back vowing to bid "with spirit" for lot 1, "rights of the people in 558 vol." held on display by Henry Dundas. A reference to the dissolution of the Parliament by the King on March 25.

Variant Titles:

History of the Westminster election.

Associated Names:

Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827 [Printmaker]
Humphrey, William, approximately 1740-approximately 1810 [Publisher]

Topics:

Cornwall, Charles Wolfran, 1735-1789
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806
Great Britain. Parliament, 1783-1784
Melville, Henry Dundas, Viscount, 1742-1811
Pitt, William, 1759-1806
Political elections -- England -- Westmi
Thurlow, Edward Thurlow, Baron, 1731-1806

Topics:

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

Language:

English

Genre:

Etchings -- England -- London -- 1784
Satires (Visual works) -- England -- 1784

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:

784.03.26.01.2+

Orbis Record:

7004720

Yale Collection:

Lewis Walpole Library

Digital Collection:

Lewis Walpole Library

Local Record Number:

lwlpr05457

Volume/Enumeration:

Digital version

OID:

10727462

PID:

digcoll:947453