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"John Wilkes, Esq." 1763 William Hogarth Later Printing From the Original Engraved Plate Deep Proof Impression

May 16, 1763-Dated, William Hogarth Political Satire Etching of John Wilkes, Esqr., 1822 Later Impression Printing from the Original Engraved Plate, Wide Margins, by Baldwin, Cradock & Joy, London, England, Extremely Fine.

Scarce original antique etching published in 1822 by Baldwin, Cradock & Joy in London from the original engraved plate designed and etched by William Hogarth in 1763. Plate Impressions Measure 9 1/8" x 14" on a 19 1/4" x 26" Sheet containing the "1820 - J. Whatman" watermark. William Hogarth (1697-1764) was a well-known English painter and engraver, who is chiefly remembered as a creator of satirical narrative pictures, such as this etching of John Wilkes. The engraved plate measures 14 5/16" x 9 3/16", on a larger sheet measuring fully about 25.75" x 19.25" including its wide outer margins. The uncolored etching is titled "John Wilkes Esqr." reading at bottom: "Drawn from the Life and Etch'd in Aquafortis by Willm. Hogarth / Publish'd according to Act of Parliament May ye 16. 1763." Light damp stain at lower left corner in the extreme outer margin well away from the central image and minor scattered foxing. The vivid central image of Wilkes shows a deeply embossed in plate outline within the heavy print paper. John Wilkes was a member of the British Parliament who published an opposition newspaper, "The North Briton," and pushed the boundaries of "freedom of speech" in Great Britain.

In this etching, Wilkes holds a Pole with a "Liberty Cap" atop and two important issues of his newspaper lie on a table beside him. In issue No. 45, Wilkes had accused George III of lying about the Treaty which ended the Seven Years' War, prompting Wilkes' to be arrested and his being charged with seditious libel. When the judge ruled that members of Parliament could not be charged with libel, the cry of "Wilkes and Liberty!" erupted in Britain and soon crossed the ocean to America. John Wilkes was a hero to Colonial Americans; they closely followed his pronouncements in his newspaper, his exile to France, and his subsequent return. His election to Parliament, and his expulsion by George III from which resulted in London riots following -- all of his trials and tribulations with the British government helped stiffened the backbone of American resistance to British Royal demands.

Additional Information:

William Hogarth (1697-1764) was a well-known English painter and engraver, who is chiefly remembered as a creator of satirical narrative pictures, such as this etching of John Wilkes.

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