- 7
TENNIEL, 'POST EQUITEM!', PENCIL, 1878
Estimate
700 - 900 GBP
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Description
- Tenniel, John
- ‘Post Equitem!’(‘Behind the horseman sits black care!’)‘At the next election the people of England will have to decide the question in what way they will be governed.’ – Gladstone at Greenwich’
159 by 210mm., pencil, signed with monogram and dated 1878, inscribed with title and publication details on original mount, signed and inscribed ‘original sketch for the Punch cartoon (finished)’, ‘10 Portsdown Road’ and with title on reverse of original mount, mounted, framed and glazed
Provenance
Mary Green (nee Tenniel), the artist's sister and thence by descent EXHIBITED:
‘The Illustrators: The British Art of Illustration 1870-2010’, Chris Beetles Gallery, 2010, no 51; 'Images of Power: From the Jeffrey Archer Cartoon Collection', Monnow Valley Arts, September - 30 October 2011
‘The Illustrators: The British Art of Illustration 1870-2010’, Chris Beetles Gallery, 2010, no 51; 'Images of Power: From the Jeffrey Archer Cartoon Collection', Monnow Valley Arts, September - 30 October 2011
Literature
Punch, 14 December 1878, page 271
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The present cartoon foretells how Gladstone’s criticism of Disraeli’s foreign policy, and particularly Britain’s entry into a Second Afghan War, would help bring down the Conservative Party at the general election of 1880. Citing a then popular tag from Horace’s third ode (‘Post equitem sedet atra cura’), it presents Disraeli as an equestrian emperor dogged by Gladstone, the Liberal opposition leader, as ‘black care’. On 30 November 1878, Gladstone made a farewell visit to his Greenwich constituency, having decided not to stand again there at the following election. He spoke to members of the Liberal Association over lunch at the Ship Inn, Greenwich, and then to about 3000 constituents at the Herbert Park Roller Skating Rink, Woolwich. His speeches were widely reported, as is indicated by a report in the New Zealand Evening Post on 3 December 1878:
Mr Gladstone on Saturday was entertained at a banquet at Greenwich. In his speech on the occasion, he urged the Liberals to adopt a more united course of action, in imitation of the Tories. He afterwards addressed a monster meeting at Woolwich, and reviewed the policy of the present Government, condemning the secret treaties and the growing expenditure of the Afghan war, without consulting Parliament, as a general abridgment of the liberties of the people.
Mr Gladstone, in addressing his constituents at Greenwich, refuted the accusations of the Secretary of State for India (Lord Salisbury), that the late (Gladstone) Cabinet was responsible for the Afghan difficulties, or that any action of the Liberals caused estrangement between the Ameer and the Government. Mr Gladstone also added that the war was unjust.
Mr Gladstone on Saturday was entertained at a banquet at Greenwich. In his speech on the occasion, he urged the Liberals to adopt a more united course of action, in imitation of the Tories. He afterwards addressed a monster meeting at Woolwich, and reviewed the policy of the present Government, condemning the secret treaties and the growing expenditure of the Afghan war, without consulting Parliament, as a general abridgment of the liberties of the people.
Mr Gladstone, in addressing his constituents at Greenwich, refuted the accusations of the Secretary of State for India (Lord Salisbury), that the late (Gladstone) Cabinet was responsible for the Afghan difficulties, or that any action of the Liberals caused estrangement between the Ameer and the Government. Mr Gladstone also added that the war was unjust.