Vanity Fair Statesmen, No. 100. "Ways and Means". Chromolithograph c1871.

by Vanity Fair

Original lithograph for Vanity Fair c1871. Caricature of Mr John George Dodson, M.P.  Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and Chairman of Ways and Means. 

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 by the inclusion of an amusing caricature, 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. Bowles accompanied each with a witty text, full of personal insights and innuendoes, written under his nickname of 'Jehu Junior' (after the biblical prophet who effected the downfall of his enemies). Bowles considered the images to be “grim faces made more grim, grotesque figures made more grotesque, and dull people made duller by the genius of our talented collaborator ‘Ape’" (Carlo Pellegrini, 1839-1889). The other major caricaturist was ‘Spy’ (Leslie Ward, 1851-1922). It was the first time lithography had been used for caricatures. The lithographs were printed by the eminent lithographer, Vincent Brooks (1814-1885), who produced over 2,300 caricatures for Vanity Fair.

Page size 355 x 230 (14 x 9 inches). Slightly age-discoloured page and mark at base, but otherwise in good condition.