Porgy Gallery

Duchess of Argyll with Douglas Fairbanks Jr

Margaret, Duchess of Argyll (1912-1993) (on the right), pictured at the first night of the Gershwin opera, Porgy and Bess in London, in the company of Mr Douglas Fairbanks Jnr and Mrs Dwight Whitney (aka the actress, Adrienne Allen). Formerly Deb of the Year, Miss Margaret Whigham and after her first marriage, Mrs Charles Sweeny, the Duchess was involved in scandalous divorce case with her second husband Iain Campbell, 11th Duke of Argyll. During the course of the trial, photographs showing the Duchess performing a sexual act upon a headless man were revealed. Douglas Fairbanks Jnr was one of the men implicated in the episode. The Duchess lost her case and had to pay heavy costs and suffer the indignity of a character assassination by the judge. Date: 1952

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Georgy Porgy the First going out for a ride in his State Coachy Poachy, 1850. Artist: John Leech

Georgy Porgy the First going out for a ride in his State Coachy Poachy, 1850. A satirical illustration of George IV (1762?1830). George VI was unpopular with his subjects. Taxpayers were angered at his wasteful spending in time of war. From The Comic History of England by Gilbert Abbott A. Beckett, illustrated by John Leech [Bradbury, Agnew & Co., London, 1850.]

© The Print Collector