A pair of spectacles, or, The London stage in 1824-5

Folger bibliographic ID: 241047
George: vol. X, pp. 516-517, no. 14864
Folger call number: Delete this record
Folger holdings ID: 300914

Three half-length figures at the base of the design look up at two circles linked to form giant spectacles. In one (left), inscribed Tragedy, Kean as Richard III postures, leaning to the right, on a pedestal inscribed Drury Lane. In his right hand he holds upside down a moneybag inscribed Minus £800 from which sovereigns and bank-notes pour out. He holds a mask. In the other circle Maria Foote dances elegantly to the left, holding out a money-bag inscribed £3,000, in the other a mask. Below, and on a larger scale than the other figures, John Bull, a stout 'cit' in old-fashioned wig, sits squarely, chin and hands resting on his stick; he turns up his eyes, one towards Kean the other to Maria, registering intense melancholy; he says with down-drawn mouth: Horrible! Horrible! most Horrible! Hamlet. On the left a handsome décolletée woman (Mrs. Cox?) looks up at Kean, both arms extended. A man of fashion (right), resembling Col. Berkeley, looks foppishly up at Miss Foote through an eye-glass. In the upper margin: All the World's a Stage, and all the Men and Women merely Players." Shakspeare.--Adapted from George

General notes

George notes that this print has been attributed to G. Cruikshank but attributes it to Williams, as it is done in his manner Also available as a digital reproduction

Exhibited

Washington, D.C., Folger Shakespeare Library, 1990-1991. Five Years of Acquisitions (catalog p. 88)

Kean, Edmund, 1787-1833 Foote, Maria, 1797?-1867 John Bull (Symbolic character) Actors

printmaker: Williams, Charles, active 1797-1830
depiction: Kean, Edmund, 1787-1833
depiction: Foote, Maria, 1797?-1867
associated name: Cruikshank, George, 1792-1878
publisher: Fairburn, John