"The full face of Clifford, based on a fashionably swathed neck-cloth and high coat-collar, fills the design. The mouth is open as if shouting. The eyes and part of the cheeks are covered by circles representing huge spectacles. Each contains a symmetrical view of Covent Garden Theatre seen from the stage, showing pit, three tiers of boxes, and the centre of the two galleries (the 'pigeon-holes' not appearing), all crowded. The views differ only in the performers on the stage, two actors on the right (one clearly Kemble, probably as Macbeth), and on the left two actors and a file of soldiers. Superimposed on the middle of each circular design is a large 'O' (left) and 'P' (right). Round the broad rims of the spectacles: (left) 'Old House Old Prices & No Private Boxes' and (right) 'Old House Old Prices & No Pigeon Holes'. On the bridge across the nose: 'N.P.B.' (No Private Boxes, see British Museum Satires No. 11421)."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Print made collaboratively by Isaac and George Cruikshank, with the latter responsible for the tiny figures in the spectacles. See British Museum catalogue., and Sheet trimmed to plate mark.
Publisher:
Pubd. by T. Tegg, 111 Cheapside
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Clifford, Henry, 1768-1813, Kemble, John Philip, 1757-1823, Covent Garden Theatre,, and Covent Garden Theatre
Subject (Topic):
Theaters, Eyeglasses, Theater audiences, Actors, and Theatrical productions
"Three men shear four rams with human faces and long spiral horns. The first (left), still unshorn, has the bottle-nose and drink-blotched face of Curtis; a large bell hangs from his neck; he bleats B A A A A A A. His shearer says: Come along you Blubber--alias Bell Weather S'Blood what a Cur 'tis; in his pocket is a paper: Quintus Curtius. He is Quin, who took an active part against Flower. The second, Councillor Waithman (a draper), holds Flower, the Mayor, labelled The Flower of the Flock, who is almost shaved; he says: Egad I have Cut them preelly [sic] close; his shears, like those of Quin, are inscribed Vox Popula [sic]. The third, Alderman Harvey Combe, uses a comb. He holds Alderman Price and says to Waithman: Ne'er Wait man I have Combed them well--. Price says: N'o Blubber Sperm fetches the best Price. Beside him is another ram (Shaw), completely shorn and dejected; it says: Pshaw I can never Stand upright in the presence of a great Mon but always Keep Booing, booing [cf. British Museum Satires No. 11306]."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Isaac Cruikshank in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Watermark: Ruse & Turners 180[5?].