almanac; print; book-illustration (Part of an almanac but similar in form to book illustrations); satirical print (social satire)

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almanac; print; book-illustration(Part of an almanac but similar in form to book illustrations); satirical print(social satire)

Object Type: almanac; print; book-illustration (Part of an almanac but similar in form to book illustrations); satirical print (social satire)
Museum number: 1863,1017.149-152
Description: Reid 4928. 'The Comic Almanack' for 1848 published by David Bogue and illustrated by George Cruikshank. Bound as a book with issues of 'The Comic Almanack' for 1848-49 in red leather and textile with "George Cruikshank. Comic Almanack 1848-49" lettered on the spine. On the title-page: "The Comic Almanack, for 1848: An ephermeris in jest and earnest edited by Horace Mayhew. Adorned with numerous humorous illustrations by George Cruikshank." With a wood engraved vignette of an astrologer wearing a jester's hat with a skull, skeleton and black cat around him. Below: "London: Imprinted for David Bogue, Bibliopolist, in Fleet Street." On the verso, "London: Vizetelly brothers & Co, Printers and engravers, Peterborough Court, Fleet Street." Contents include tables of festivals &c, sun and moon rises and sets for each month with articles and verses throughout. Sixty seven wood engraved illustrations are integrated with the text and etched illustration plates are integrated throughout on humorous and topical themes (For individual illustrations, see References and Comments and Subject and Associations.) With an advertisement for 'The natural history of the gent.' by Albert Smith at the back of the volume (also advertising related publications in the same format on "The flirt." "The ballet girl." "Bores" "Humbugs." and "The Tuft-Hunter." 1848 Letterpress almanac with etched plates and wood engraved vignette illustrations
Producer name: Print made by: George Cruikshank; Published by: David Bogue; Printed by: Vizetelly & Co
School/style
Production date: 1848
Production place: Published in: London (England)
Materials: paper; textile (binding); cardboard (binding); leather (binding)
Technique: letterpress; etching; wood-engraving
Dimensions: Height: 135 millimetres (approx page height (note variation in page sizes.)); Width: 90 millimetres (approx page width)
Curator's comments: See GW Reid 'A descriptive catalogue of the works of George Cruikshank.' for descriptions of individual illustrations. Bound in a volume of two editions of 'The Comic Almanack' (1848-49.) For extensive description of original formats and publication history of 'The Comic Almanack.' See AM Cohn 184. The Department of Prints and Drawings holds a complete run of editions from 1835-1853 acquired from a various sources. 184.d.11-18. The 1848 edition of the comic almanac makes increased use of wood engraved illustrations embedded in the text rather than illustration plates. The wood engraved illustrations have been comprehensively catalogued by Reid for this edition in contrast to previous years.
Bibliographic references: Cohn 1924 / George Cruikshank, catalogue raisonné (184); Reid 1871 / A descriptive catalogue of the works of George Cruikshank (4928)
Location: Not on display
Subjects: society/human life; humour; courtship/love (See Reid 2420, 4189, 4221, 4229); theatre/opera house (See Reid 4191, 4247, 4248 and 4249.); cherub/cupid (See Reid 4189); cat (See Reid 4194, 4195, 4226 and 4227.); dog (See Reid 4204-4211); servant/domestic worker (Reid 4221); cattle (See Reid 4222 'Bull's new system of circulating libraries.'); library (See Reid 4222 'Bull's new system of circulating libraries.'); beach scene (See Reid 2422); food/drink (See Reid 4223 and 4224); mammal (See Reid 4229, 4230, 4231, 4243 and 4235); boat/ship (See Reid 4241, 4242 and 2423); art (See Reid 4244-4246 (A satire on the Pre-Raphaelites.)); satire (See Reid 2424 ('The universal philanthropist.')); costume/clothing (See Reid 4255-4257); married life
Associated names: Associated with: Jenny Lind (See Reid 4191 and 4192); Associated with: Charles Sherwood Stratton (See Reid 4203)
Acquisition name
Acquisition date: 1863
Department: Prints and Drawings
Registration number: 1863,1017.149-152

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