Auctions@EarlyAmerican.com
Phone: 858-759-3290
Type in Your EMAIL Address
to Receive Notices
of Important Events

Auctions
• SATURDAY - MAR. 30th
• Terms of Sale
• Print Out a Bid Form
Links to Other Sites:
• Tortuga Trading
This Auction is Now OPEN for Bidding
Closing LIVE ONLINE: SATURDAY • March 30th • Starting at 9:00 AM Pacific Time
Absentee Bidding on a Specific Lot Will Remain OPEN
Until the LIVE BIDDING begins for that Specific Lot on SATURDAY • March 30th
Click for a Printable Page
Estimate Range: $2,000 - $3,000
Current Bidding Status
Register or Sign-In to Bid
Estimate Range
$2,000 - $3,000
Next Available Bid
$1,000
Bids MUST match our Standard Increment Levels.
CLICK HERE to see a chart of Standard Increment Levels.
Iconic 1763 “John Wilkes Esqr.” Satyrical Political Historic Engraving by William Hogarth Related to Colonial America

Click an Image to Enlarge It
1763-Dated Colonial French & Indian War, Stamp Act Era, Rare Original First State Political Engraving titled, “John Wilkes Esqr.” by William Hogarth, London, “Publish’d according to Act of Parliament May 16, 1763.”, Framed, Choice Very Fine.

An impressive boldly printed Engraved Print with its caption at bottom fully reading: “John Wilkes Esqr. - Drawn from the Life and Etch’d in Aquafortis by Will’m Hogarth, - Publish’d according to Act of Parliament May 16, 1763. - Price 1 Schilling” all text located below the large engraved image. The Engraving measures 13.5” x 9” (by sight) modern archival professionally framed to 16” x 11.5” shown through special UV Plexiglas in an ornate wood frame, ready to hang on display. "John Wilkes Esq." is a significant example of William Hogarth's satirical genius and his ability to capture the essence of a political figure through the medium of engraving.

This eye-catching original etching depicts a Portrait of John Wilkes Esquire (1727-1797) who was a member of the British Parliament and a political agitator. In 1762 he founded North Briton, a publication that consistently attacked the government the King and the artistic work of William Hogarth. Wilkes was twice expelled from the House of Commons but was reelected by popular support, which also made him the Lord Mayor of London in 1774. In this engraving, Hogarth depicts Wilkes in a mocking and unflattering manner. Engraved in 1763 by William Hogarth, John Wilkes is portrayed sitting on his chair holding the “LIBERTY” Cap on a staff. Sown behind him on the table are the issues of The North Briton, where he had attacked both Hogarth and the King. Wilkes’ features are with a twisted mouth and crossed eyes, his expression exhibits idiocy and plain evil, his wig is transformed into a demonic state with horns atop. Overall, a remarkable image created during the hated American Colonial Stamp Act Period, sparking the call for “LIBERTY”. The rare First State with “Publish’d according to Act of Parliament May 16, 1763. - Price 1 Schilling”.

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF

AMBASSADOR J. WILLIAM MIDDENDORF II


William Hogarth (1697-1764). The name of William Hogarth requires little in the way of an introduction. He is the unquestioned father of England's rich tradition of satire and remains one of the most original and lively minds in the entire history of British art. Hogarth was known for his satirical works, which often critiqued political corruption, social vices, and moral decadence of his time.

Famous for his paintings, Hogarth's engravings are even more paramount: the imagery from "The Harlot's Progress", "Marriage a la Mode", "The Four Stages of Cruelty", "Four Prints of an Election", "The Four Times of the Day" and a host of others are crucial to an understanding of eighteenth century art and culture. Yet Hogarth's art stretched beyond his time and his masterful engravings are as relevant to our society as they were to his.

Training first as an Engraver, Hogarth became an independent illustrator as early as 1720. In his spare time he studied painting techniques, notably under Sir James Thornhill. By 1730 he established himself as a portrait painter. Yet at the same time Hogarth began creating sets of anecdotal pictures which brilliantly satirized society and its activities.

The first such set, "A Harlot's Progress" (1732), gained for Hogarth a strong and lasting national reputation. During the following decades he both painted and engraved individual works and sets of images which forged the cornerstone for English satirical art. Such great masters as Rowlandson, Gillray, Heath and Cruikshank followed in Hogarth's footsteps.

John Wilkes Esquire (1727-1797) was a Member of the British Parliament and a political agitator. In 1762 he founded The North Briton, a publication that consistently attacked the government of Lord Bute, the King and the artistic work of William Hogarth. He was twice expelled from the House of Commons but was re-elected by popular support. Such popularity made John Wilkes the Lord Mayor of London in 1774.

William Hogarth stresses his deprived character. John Wilkes sits irreverently on his chair holding the Cap of Liberty on the Staff of Maintenance. Behind him are the issues of The North Briton where he attacks both Hogarth and the King. With twisted mouth and crossed eyes his expression is a combination of idiocy and evil. His wig is transformed into demonic horns.
Keywords:
Click for a Printable Page
Estimate Range: $2,000 - $3,000
Early American
1520 Commerce St., # 312 • Winchester, VA 22601
Phone: 858 • 759 • 3290
Email: Auctions@EarlyAmerican.com