"Austria" Vanity Fair lithograph of Frederick Ferdinand, Count Beust. c1875

by Carlo Pellegrini (Ape)

Original Vanity Fair lithograph "Austria" from a watercolour caricature of Frederick Ferdinand, Count Beust, Men of the Day No. CVIII (108) on August 28 1875.  The accompanying text states that "Accounted as a great statesman throughout Europe...He maintained his influence and his position till 1871, when mainly as a result of private undertakings brought untowardly into public notice, he was sent away to be Ambassador in London - an honourable retreat which suited him well. For in London he had made many friends, and he remains a great favourite with Society rather on account of his personal qualities than because he had worked himself up from an attacheship to be a leading diplomatist in Europe..."

Vanity Fair was a weekly magazine of social comment, published in London from 1868 to 1914. With eight to ten pages each issue, Vanity Fair magazine's popularity was guaranteed with the inclusion of an amusing caricature, lithographed from a watercolour, parodying any newsworthy personage. Over the years of publication it became a mark of honour to be the 'victim' of one of the magazine's caricaturists. The publisher accompanied each with a witty text, written under his nickname of 'Jehu Junior' (after the biblical prophet who effected the downfall of his enemies). He considered the caricatures made grim faces more grim, grotesque figures more grotesque, and dull people duller by the genius of ‘Ape’" (Carlo Pellegrini, 1839-1889). It was the first time lithography had been used for caricatures. They were printed by the eminent lithographer, Vincent Brooks (1814-1885).

Page size 355 x 230 (14 x 9 inches). In good condition except for the usual Indian ink notations: "87" at top right and "Count Beust" written at lower right.