"Modest Assurance" Vanity Fair lithograph caricature. Mr Henry du pre Labouchere, c1874.

by Carlo Pellegrini (Ape)

Original Vanity Fair lithograph "Modest assurance" from a watercolour caricature of Mr. Henry Du Pre Labouchere for Men of the Day. No. LXL (90) on Novermber 7 1874.

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 clean condition except for soiling at lower left corner of page and towards the margins. Indian ink "46" at top right.