Falstaff and his ragged crew, or, The contents of the green bag in propria persona [graphic].

Description

Title: Falstaff and his ragged crew, or, The contents of the green bag in propria persona [graphic].
Alternative Title: Contents of the green bag in propria persona
Creator: Heath, William, 1795-1840, printmaker
Contributor: Fores, S. W., publisher.
Published / Created: [20 July 1820]
Publication Place: London
Publisher: Pub. July 20, 1820, by S.W. Fores, 41 Picadilli [sic]
Abstract: "George IV dressed as Falstaff, and followed by a shambling rabble, advances towards the Queen (right) holding sword, and a round shield on which is a device of four wine-bottles and cork-screws. He stares with apprehensive defiance. She says with a dramatic gesture: "These are the Hireling Miscreants ye produce to Swear away the Life of your Neglected persecuted Queen ? for double fees they'd serve the Traitors Turn, & swear against their King--Leeches--vile Cooks for such a feast." The witnesses are seven men and a woman with patched face and damaged nose. The men are ragged and villainous; the tallest holds a stiletto, one is branded on the forehead with a gibbet. They are shepherded by a tall lean man (Cooke) holding a brief-bag, who walks behind the King; he answers: "I assure you these are the most Respectable Witnesses we could obtain." In his pocket are papers docketed 'Kangaroo Cook' and 'Million'."--British Museum online catalogue
Description: Title etched below image.
Attributed to William Heath in the British Museum catalogue.
Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
Printed on watermarked paper.
Window mounted to 23.4 x 33.6 cm, the whole then mounted to 58 x 39 cm.
Mounted (with one other print) on leaf 47 in volume 1 of the W.E. Gladstone collection of caricatures and broadsides surrounding the "Queen Caroline Affair."
Figures of "Geo. IV" and "Caroline" identified in black ink at bottom of sheet; date "20 July 1820" written in lower right corner. Typed extract of five lines from the British Museum catalogue description is pasted at bottom of mounting sheet.
Provenance: Sold by London's Dulau and Company to the New York City bookseller Ernest R. Gee in 1928. Earlier ownership by W.E. Gladstone is suggested by a manuscript note from Dulau formerly laid into the front the first volume (now in the object file), which states that "These came from the Gladstone Library at Court Hey, Broad Green. The manuscript notes written below the caricatures are in the handwriting of W.E. Gladstone." William Reese Company; February 2024.
Extent: 1 print : sheet 22.3 x 32.5 cm
Extent of Digitization: This object has been completely digitized.
Language: English