"The new man" Vanity Fair caricature lithograph c1874.

by Carlo Pellegrini (Ape)

Vanity Fair lithograph "A new man" from caricature of The Right Honourable Richard Assheton Cross, M.P. Statesmen. No. CLXXI (171) on May 16 1874. The accompanying text states "...The Home Secretary is therefore almost always a failure, even when he is not a Bruce or a Walpole, and it was a proof of discernment in Mr. Disraeli that, discarding all titles and traditions, he selected for it in Mr. Cross an entirely new man... ...by the choice of his native town and county he has been a Member of Parliament for seventeen years, by predilection he has concerned himself in parochial questions, and by the grace of the Premier he is now the arbiter of the destinies of publicans and sinners."

Established by Thomas Gibson Bowles (1841-1922), 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 who was also editor and main journalist, accompanied each caricature with a witty text, written under the pseudonym 'Jehu Junior' (after the biblical prophet who effected the downfall of his enemies). Bowles 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 margins and Indian ink number "21" at top right.