"Birmingham" Vanity Fair caricature of Mr. Philip Henry Muntz, M.P. c1875.

by Carlo Pellegrini (Ape)

Original Vanity Fair lithograph "Birmingham" from a watercolour caricature of Mr. Philip Henry Muntz, M.P. Statesmen. No. CCX (210) on August 7 1875. The accompanying text states "One of the large number of men who have manufactured themselves in the House of Commons, Mr. Muntz is by party a Liberal, by nature and occupation a trader, and by inevitable determination a Benthamite. With these qualilfications for dealing with the great affairs of the Empire he was made a Birmingham Mayor in his youth, and has been sent to Parliament as a Birmingham Statesman in his maturer years. Besides all this, he is four-and-sixty, prosperous and wealthy, a Justic of the Peace, and a treasure to his family. "

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: "84" at top right and "E.H. Muntz" written at lower right.