Price: $2,000.00
SKU: 2929
ARTIST: William Charles
PUBLISHER: Philad. pub. and sold wholesale by Wm. Charles.
MEDIUM: Etching,
DATE: Undated, c.1814
EDITION SIZE: Image size 9 x 12 3/4" (22.9 x 32.5 cm).
DESCRIPTION: Wm. Charles del et Sculp.<br><br> A scarce and visually striking political satire by William Charles celebrating the failed British attack on Baltimore in September 1814. This entertaining print by William Charles shows the British fleeing before the defenders of Baltimore. In the background General Ross is felled by the sniper (“De[v]il tak[e] that Republican rascal… for he’s blown my brains out”), while in the foreground the main body retreats. At the right a mounted Admiral Cochrane exhorts his troops to resume the attack, but a Highlander responds “In gude troth Admiral I think ye are as mad as our government. Dinna ye ken the Generals kilt_ye must only attack sic places as Hampton_Haver de Grace or Alexandria.” At the rear is John Bull himself, an American bayonet prodding his buttocks, exclaiming “mercy on me_What fellows those Baltimoreans are_After the example of the Alexandrians I thought I had nothing to do but enter the Town and carry off the Booty_And here is nothing but Defeat and Disgrace!” <br><br> William Charles (1776-1820) was an engraver in line, stipple and aquatint active in New York and Philadelphia early in the 19th century. He is best known for his caricatures, most of which addressed events during the War of 1812. Stauffer lists over 15 such images, a few lampooning American sectional differences or military incompetence, but most tweaking Great Britain for its various defeats at American hands. Murell asserts that Charles’ political cartoons “arouse[d] more public interest than any produced in America before.”<br><br>
ADDITIONAL INFO:
CONDITION: Good condition. B/W.
REFERENCE: AAS, Engravings, #2513. Murrell #88. Reilly #1814-4. Stauffer #317 (mis-titled John Bull at Baltimore).
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