14 OF 875

'Tom Jones, Partridge and the Beggar'

14 of 875 portraits by James Gillray

by James Gillray, published by Thomas Macklin
stipple engraving, published 14 September 1780
8 3/8 in. x 6 7/8 in. (213 mm x 175 mm) paper size
Given by Mrs Burger, 1961
Reference Collection
NPG D12285

Artistsback to top

James Gillray (1756-1815), Caricaturist. Artist or producer associated with 881 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
Thomas Macklin (1752 or 1753-1800), Printseller and picture dealer. Artist or producer associated with 8 portraits.

Related worksback to top

NPG D12286: 'Sophia, Honour and the Chambermaid' (from same series as)

Placesback to top

Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (39 Fleet Street, London)

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1780back to top

Current affairs

Anti-Catholic mob led by Lord George Gordon marches on Parliament to protest against the Catholic Relief Act, leading to the outbreak of the Gordon Riots in London. Six days of rioting are ended by the intervention of troops, with 285 people shot dead.
Dunning's Motion in Parliament attacks the influence of the crown, suggesting that it has increased and ought to be diminished.

Art and science

Royal Academy moves to Somerset House on The Strand, London.
Mrs E. Johnson's British Gazette and Sunday Monitor, the first Sunday newspaper in Britain, begins publication.
Potter Josiah Wedgwood invents the pyrometer; a device used for measuring high temperatures.

International

American War of Independence: British troops under Charles Cornwallis defeat American army under Horatio Gates at Camden, South Carolina. The capture of British army officer and spy John Andr? yields proof that US general Benedict Arnold is in the pay of the British. Andr? is executed in as a spy.
Second Anglo-Mysore War in India between Hyder Ali and the East India Company.
Bolshoi Theatre of opera and ballet is founded in Moscow.

Tell us more back to top

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Donald Coverdale

25 May 2017, 15:16

Your copy of this print has been trimmed to the engraved surface. I have a less trimmed copy and can give you full information about the Title etc.
The rectangular platemark measures 11 1/8 x 8 1/4 inches. Mine is printed in Sepia, like yours. The full title is "Tom Jones, Partridge & the Beggar" and below that is "There friend, you are the happiest Man alive Etc". All of this lettering is rather faint and less prominent than the print on the other one of the pair, "Sophie, Honour and the Chambermaid", which you also have.

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