"Yorkshire" Vanity Fair lithograph caricature, Mr. Frederick Acclom Milbank, M.P. c1875.

by Carlo Pellegrini (Ape)

Original lithograph of a watercolour caricature of Mr. Frederick Acclom Milbank, M.P. Statesmen. No. CCVIII (208). "Yorkshire" for Vanity Fair July 17 1875.

The accompanying text states... "Very rich - for the Duke of Cleveland made him his heir - very lavish, genial, and good-tempered, as becomes a man who has never had to wrestle with troubles, he occupies a distinct place in Parliament as one of those who are bred to form its main body and to be its main defence against the enterprises of politicians without a sufficient name or stake in the country."

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 newsworthy personages. Lithographs by Vincent Brooks were accompanied by witty text. Over the years of publication it became a mark of honour to be the 'victim' of one of the magazine's caricaturists. The publisher of the magazine, Thomas Gibson 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).

The page is the standard size of 355 x 240 (14 x 9.5 inches). In good condition except for slight soiling at edges of page, with text (previously) separated from page to accompany lithographic caricature. The base has the Indian ink addition of the subject's name which is frequently found for some unknown reason.