"Sailor politician and sculptor" Vanity Fair caricature. Admiral Paget, K.C.B. c1875.

by Carlo Pellegrini (Ape)

Original Vanity Fair lithograph "Sailor politician and sculptor" from a watercolour caricature of Admiral the Right Honourable Lord Clarence Paget, K.C.B. Men of the Day. No. CXX (120) on December 25 1875. The accompanying text states "Sent into the Navy before he had completed his twelfth year, Lord Clarence had the good fortune to escape the literary lumber with which schools ashore furnish the minds of boys, and to be brought at once into the upper school of the real world which makes men. The youngster was taken in hand by Lord Lyons and Admiral Spencer, and having the good fortune to be always in smart ships, he soon became a good officer, while he developed his natural talents by making himself at home in several living languages... He had devoted himself much to the arts, and not a little to politics... (where) he was made a Privy Councillor and Secretary to the Admiralty... Nevertheless...he was gratified by being appointed Admiral Commanding-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet... returned a K.C.B... he has moulded and set up as a sea-mark on his Anglesey estate a colossal statue of Nelson, which has won much commendation..."

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 fair condition except for some foxing in the left margin and Indian ink number "48" at top right.