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Joseph Chamberlain - Coat of Many Colours
Poster Prints from Mary Evans Picture Library
Joseph Chamberlain - Coat of Many Colours
In a picture postcard, Radical politicial Joseph Chamberlain (1836-1914) is pictured wearing a coat of many colours. Each segment reflects the different stages in his political career: socialist, extreme radical, Gladstonian, Liberal Unionist, Conservative and protectionist and food taxer. Inconsistent was one of the more favourable epithets used of Chamberlain. To the Liberals he was a traitor, to the Conservatives a dangerous radical, and to the people of Birmingham a hero, despite the fact that by birth he was a Londoner. Up his sleeve is his idea for Old Age Pensions, which he proposed to fund through tariff reform, taxing imports into the British Empire (the colours of which adorn his coat). Date: 1905
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Media ID 7183775
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10529533
Chamberlain Colours Ideas Liberal Monacle Outfit Pensions Proposals Radical Reform Satire Satirical Sleeve Tariff
EDITORS COMMENTS
Joseph Chamberlain: A Political Chameleon in a Coat of Many Colours (1905) This postcard image showcases the enigmatic figure of Joseph Chamberlain (1836-1914), a radical British politician known for his inconsistent political allegiances and colourful career. Dressed in a coat adorned with various hues, each segment symbolizes a distinct stage in his political journey: socialist, extreme radical, Gladstonian Liberal, Liberal Unionist, Conservative, and protectionist. Born in London but revered as a hero by the people of Birmingham, Chamberlain was a man of many faces. To the Liberals, he was a traitor for his departure from their ranks. To the Conservatives, he was a dangerous radical. To the British public, he was an intriguing character, defying easy categorization. Up his sleeve, hidden from view, was an innovative idea: Old Age Pensions. He proposed funding this social welfare initiative through tariff reform, taxing imports into the British Empire. The colours of the Empire, symbolizing its vast reach and influence, are reflected in the vibrant coat. Chamberlain's appearance in this satirical image is further accentuated by his monocle, adding an air of intellectual intensity and determination. The Bible in his hand hints at his moral compass, while the overall effect is a striking visual representation of a man who defied labels and left an indelible mark on British politics.
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