Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Sampson overcome by a Philistian / invented by a theif [sic] ; engrav'd by a pickpocket!

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James Gillray
1756-1815

Sampson overcome by a Philistian / invented by a theif [sic] ; engrav'd by a pickpocket!

Published

[London] : Publish'd by Bonde at the Thieftakers Office Bow Street, [1782?]

etching
image: 286 x 233 mm; plate mark: 353 x 249 mm; sheet: 369 x 265 mm
Peel 2709
Notes
By James Gillray.
Satirical print inspired by accusations that the Bow Street Magistrates employed "Thieftakers" to decoy persons into crime for the sake of rewards to be gained by convicting them.
Imprint is assumed to be fictitious.
Plate mark on library's copy not visible.
Provenance

Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.

Summary

Print shows chief magistrate Sampson Wright sitting in an arm-chair behind a small square table. He is confronted by man standing in front of the table and shaking his fist, saying, "You Rascal! I'll break every Bone in your Body". Sampson's son stands behind the assailant saying: "O Lord! O Lord! my poor Pap'll be killd!" At the magistrate's right hand stands a man who is probably John Bond, the clerk. On the wall over Wright's head are two prints, one of a rat caught in a trap called 'Trap'd'; the other of a cock standing on a vase or pot. On the table are writing materials and a purse inscribed "Dirty Shillings".

Associated names
Peel, Robert, 1788-1850, former owner.
Classification
Department
Century prints