Accession number
PML 145850.11
Creator
Mosley, Charles, ca. 1720-ca. 1770, engraver.
Published
[London] : Publish'd according to Act of Parliament, Sep. 4, 1738.
Credit line
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
Notes
According to contemporary advertisements, this print was published by Philip Overton at the Golden Buck in Fleet Street. Cf. British Museum online catalog.
See George, nos. 2333 & 2334, although this has a slightly different title, is not signed, and has an earlier date by one month.
In this state, the elephant holds a pair of spectacles and a monkey holding a flag (but lacking the papal tiara he wears in some states) sits on a shelf attached to the distance post; the publication date remains "Sep. 4", and Mosley's name is not inscribed at lower left, as it is in some other states.
Satire on the jockeying for position of the European powers in the late 1730s, and in particular on the unwillingness of Walpole's government to go to war.
Lettered with captions in the image, the title above, and a dedication to "ye Politicians of Great Britain, France, Spain, Rusia Turky, Germany, Italy Holland and Corsica, by their most Obedient Servant An Englishman.", followed by a quotation and the reference "Battle to the strong ... happeneth to them all. Ecclesiastes the 9th Verse the 11th."
Mounted as item 11 into an album of collected prints, broadsides, drawings, and miscellaneous single sheet items, assembled by former owner J. Ames and entitled "Emblematical and satirical prints on persons and professions" (PML 145850).
See George, nos. 2333 & 2334, although this has a slightly different title, is not signed, and has an earlier date by one month.
In this state, the elephant holds a pair of spectacles and a monkey holding a flag (but lacking the papal tiara he wears in some states) sits on a shelf attached to the distance post; the publication date remains "Sep. 4", and Mosley's name is not inscribed at lower left, as it is in some other states.
Satire on the jockeying for position of the European powers in the late 1730s, and in particular on the unwillingness of Walpole's government to go to war.
Lettered with captions in the image, the title above, and a dedication to "ye Politicians of Great Britain, France, Spain, Rusia Turky, Germany, Italy Holland and Corsica, by their most Obedient Servant An Englishman.", followed by a quotation and the reference "Battle to the strong ... happeneth to them all. Ecclesiastes the 9th Verse the 11th."
Mounted as item 11 into an album of collected prints, broadsides, drawings, and miscellaneous single sheet items, assembled by former owner J. Ames and entitled "Emblematical and satirical prints on persons and professions" (PML 145850).
Description
1 print : engraving ; image: 222 x 342 mm; plate mark: 273 x 353 mm; sheet: 293 x 361 mm
Provenance
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Summary
Print shows a race-course on the sea-shore beside the Rock of Gibraltar (at left) with a variety of animals and riders representing different countries.
Classification
Catalog link
Department