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Cartoon Collection

Cartoons have long been a powerful medium for social and political commentary, using humor and satire to convey important messages

Background imageCartoon Collection: The Examination of a Young Surgeon. Satirical etching, 1811, by George Cruikshank

The Examination of a Young Surgeon. Satirical etching, 1811, by George Cruikshank
CARTOON: SURGEONS, 1811. The Examination of a Young Surgeon. Satirical etching, 1811, by George Cruikshank

Background imageCartoon Collection: CAPITALIST PYRAMID, 1911. American Socialist poster

CAPITALIST PYRAMID, 1911. American Socialist poster

Background imageCartoon Collection: The Cow-Pock. Satirical etching, 1802, by James Gillray on Edward Jenner and vaccination

The Cow-Pock. Satirical etching, 1802, by James Gillray on Edward Jenner and vaccination
CARTOON: VACCINATION, 1802. The Cow-Pock. Satirical etching, 1802, by James Gillray on Edward Jenner and vaccination

Background imageCartoon Collection: NAPOLEON CARTOON, 1805. The Plumb-pudding in danger; - or State Epicures taking un Petit Souper

NAPOLEON CARTOON, 1805. The Plumb-pudding in danger; - or State Epicures taking un Petit Souper. Satirical etching, 1805, by James Gillray a propos of a peace overture from Napoleon

Background imageCartoon Collection: Thomas Nast cartoon about Boss Tweed corruption

Thomas Nast cartoon about Boss Tweed corruption
" Who stole the peoples money? Twas him" cartoon about Tammany Hall scandal, 1871. Hand-colored woodcut reproduction of a Thomas Nast cartoon

Background imageCartoon Collection: Deaths Dispensary. An 1866 cartoon indicating water pollution as a source of disease

Deaths Dispensary. An 1866 cartoon indicating water pollution as a source of disease
POLLUTION CARTOON, 1866. Deaths Dispensary. An 1866 cartoon indicating water pollution as a source of disease

Background imageCartoon Collection: LONDON: UNDERGROUND, 1944. Please stand on the right of the escalator

LONDON: UNDERGROUND, 1944. Please stand on the right of the escalator. Poster by Fougasse promoting proper etiquette on the London Underground, 1944

Background imageCartoon Collection: The Devilfish in Egyptian Waters. An American cartoon from 1882 depicting John Bull (England)

The Devilfish in Egyptian Waters. An American cartoon from 1882 depicting John Bull (England)
IMPERIALISM CARTOON, 1882. The Devilfish in Egyptian Waters. An American cartoon from 1882 depicting John Bull (England) as the octopus of imperialism grabbing land on every continent

Background imageCartoon Collection: Charles Darwin in his evolutionary tree

Charles Darwin in his evolutionary tree. Caricature of the British naturalist Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882) sitting in his evolutionary tree

Background imageCartoon Collection: Balanced diet

Balanced diet, computer artwork. A balanced diet shown as segments of a pie. The pie shows what proportion of the diet should be made up of each of the major food groups

Background imageCartoon Collection: JOIN OR DIE CARTOON, 1754. First American political cartoon, originally published by Benjamin

JOIN OR DIE CARTOON, 1754. First American political cartoon, originally published by Benjamin Franklin in his Pennsylvania Gazette, 1754

Background imageCartoon Collection: Awful Changes

Awful Changes
A cartoon, published in 1830, 28 years before Darwins Origin Of Species, lampooning theories of evolution. Entitled Awful Changes, it depicts an Ichthyosaurus giving a lecture on a human skull

Background imageCartoon Collection: 1855 Punch Dinosaurs Crystal Palace

1855 Punch Dinosaurs Crystal Palace
1855 Cartoon from Punchs Almanac of that year, ascribed to John Leech. " A visit to the antediluvian reptiles at Sydenham - master Tom strongly objects to having his mind improved"

Background imageCartoon Collection: THANKSGIVING CARTOON, 1869. Uncle Sams Thanksgiving Dinner: cartoon, 1869

THANKSGIVING CARTOON, 1869. Uncle Sams Thanksgiving Dinner: cartoon, 1869, by Thomas Nast depicting a Thanksgiving table at which all comers are welcome

Background imageCartoon Collection: Dropping the Pilot, 1890. Artist: John Tenniel

Dropping the Pilot, 1890. Artist: John Tenniel
Dropping the Pilot, 1890. Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898) Prussian/German statesman, resigned as Chancellor, together with his son the German foreign minister

Background imageCartoon Collection: WWII: POSTER, c1943. Attack with me says Potato Pete. Lithograph, c1943

WWII: POSTER, c1943. Attack with me says Potato Pete. Lithograph, c1943

Background imageCartoon Collection: POLLUTION CARTOON, 1866. Deaths Dispensary

POLLUTION CARTOON, 1866. Deaths Dispensary. An 1866 cartoon indicating water pollution as a source of disease

Background imageCartoon Collection: The Gout. Etching, 1799, by James Gillray

The Gout. Etching, 1799, by James Gillray
GOUT, 1799. The Gout. Etching, 1799, by James Gillray

Background imageCartoon Collection: CARTOON: ANTI-TRUST, 1889. The Bosses of the Senate. American anti-trust cartoon, 1889

CARTOON: ANTI-TRUST, 1889. The Bosses of the Senate. American anti-trust cartoon, 1889, by Joseph Keppler

Background imageCartoon Collection: Yorkshire Cricket, 1892. Artist: Spy

Yorkshire Cricket, 1892. Artist: Spy
Yorkshire Cricket, 1892. A portrait of Lord Hawke. Martin Bladen Hawke, 7th Baron Hawke (1860-1938) captained the Yorkshire County Cricket Club for 28 seasons

Background imageCartoon Collection: Victorian man driving a horse and cart

Victorian man driving a horse and cart
Vintage engraving of Victorian man driving a horse and cart. Strange Adventures of a Dog cart, by Randolph Caldecott

Background imageCartoon Collection: LONDON: UNDERGROUND, 1944. The more we are together, the more uncomfortable we ll

LONDON: UNDERGROUND, 1944. The more we are together, the more uncomfortable we ll be - please pass along the platform. Poster by Fougasse promoting proper etiquette on the London Underground, 1944

Background imageCartoon Collection: CARTOON: TWEED RING, 1871. The Tammany Tiger Loose. Thomas Nasts powerful indictment of Tweed

CARTOON: TWEED RING, 1871. The Tammany Tiger Loose. Thomas Nasts powerful indictment of Tweed and his ring, published on the eve of the New York municipal and state elections of 1871. Cartoon, 1871

Background imageCartoon Collection: COMIC STRIP: LITTLE NEMO. The walking bed episode of the American comic strip

COMIC STRIP: LITTLE NEMO. The walking bed episode of the American comic strip Little Nemo in Slumberland, by Winsor McCay, published in the New York Herald, July 1908

Background imageCartoon Collection: GERRYMANDER CARTOON, 1812. The Gerry-Mander! Cartoon comment, 1812, by Elkanah

GERRYMANDER CARTOON, 1812. The Gerry-Mander! Cartoon comment, 1812, by Elkanah Tisdale on the action of Governor Elbridge Gerry

Background imageCartoon Collection: President Andrew Jackson destroying the Bank of the United States. Lithograph cartoon, 1828

President Andrew Jackson destroying the Bank of the United States. Lithograph cartoon, 1828
ANDREW JACKSON (1828). President Andrew Jackson destroying the Bank of the United States. Lithograph cartoon, 1828

Background imageCartoon Collection: American cartoon by Clifford Berryman, c1909, showing President Theodore Roosevelt slaying those

American cartoon by Clifford Berryman, c1909, showing President Theodore Roosevelt slaying those trusts he considered
T. ROOSEVELT CARTOON, 1909. American cartoon by Clifford Berryman, c1909, showing President Theodore Roosevelt slaying those trusts he considered " bad" for the public interest while

Background imageCartoon Collection: WOMENs SUFFRAGE, 1915. The Awakening. American cartoon, 1915, by Henry Mayer

WOMENs SUFFRAGE, 1915. The Awakening. American cartoon, 1915, by Henry Mayer, showing an allegorical representation of the suffrage cause striding across the western states

Background imageCartoon Collection: The Sleeping Congregation, William Hogarth

The Sleeping Congregation, William Hogarth
Vintage engraving of The Sleeping Congregation, William Hogarth. Interior of a church where the congregation sleeps as the clergyman reads from the gospel

Background imageCartoon Collection: A Radical Lawyer, 1902. Artist: Spy

A Radical Lawyer, 1902. Artist: Spy
A Radical Lawyer, 1902. John Lawson Walton KC MP, British barrister and politician. Walton served as Attorney General from 1905-1908. Cartoon from Vanity Fair, 6th March 1902

Background imageCartoon Collection: The Great Lozenge-Maker. A Hint to Paterfamilias, 1858. Artist: John Leech

The Great Lozenge-Maker. A Hint to Paterfamilias, 1858. Artist: John Leech
The Great Lozenge-Maker. A Hint to Paterfamilias, 1858. This cartoon indicts the sweet-making industry. At the time, many strange, and possibly noxious ingredients were used in sweets

Background imageCartoon Collection: LONDON: UNDERGROUND, 1944. Please pass down the car - someday, you might want to get in yourself

LONDON: UNDERGROUND, 1944. Please pass down the car - someday, you might want to get in yourself! Poster by Fougasse promoting proper etiquette on the London Underground, 1944

Background imageCartoon Collection: LONDON: UNDERGROUND, 1944. Please have your ticket ready at the barrier

LONDON: UNDERGROUND, 1944. Please have your ticket ready at the barrier. Poster by Fougasse promoting proper etiquette on the London Underground, 1944

Background imageCartoon Collection: The Knotty Problem of Capitol Hill Finding a Way to Raise Taxes Without Losing a Single Vote

The Knotty Problem of Capitol Hill Finding a Way to Raise Taxes Without Losing a Single Vote. American cartoon by Dr
CARTOON: WORLD WAR II. The Knotty Problem of Capitol Hill Finding a Way to Raise Taxes Without Losing a Single Vote. American cartoon by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) for PM, 22 July 1942

Background imageCartoon Collection: Comic postcard: How we are enjoying ourselves at Bognor

Comic postcard: How we are enjoying ourselves at Bognor
Colour picture showing couple embracing sitting on a fence by the sea, c1908 Prints and Drawings Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: PD 1552

Background imageCartoon Collection: Smoking club, 18th century artwork

Smoking club, 18th century artwork. The practice of smoking tobacco was popularised in England and Ireland in the 1580s and 1590s by the English soldier and explorer Sir Walter Raleigh (c.1552-1618)

Background imageCartoon Collection: 1874 Monkey Darwin cartoon by Faustin

1874 Monkey Darwin cartoon by Faustin
" Prof. Darwin" coloured lithograph by Faustin Betbeder, with original Shakespeare quotes in text below. Front page of the " Figaro" paper N

Background imageCartoon Collection: STOCK MARKET CRASH. Cartoon: New York Stock Exchange on Black Thursday, 1929

STOCK MARKET CRASH. Cartoon: New York Stock Exchange on Black Thursday, 1929. Print by William Gropper
STOCK MARKET CRASH. Cartoon: New York Stock Exchange on " Black Thursday", 1929. Print by William Gropper

Background imageCartoon Collection: Integrity retiring from Office!, 1801

Integrity retiring from Office!, 1801
Integrity retiring from Office!, Pub. 1801 (hand coloured engraving). William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806) resigns as Prime Minister in protest at Kings rejection of the bills to unite England

Background imageCartoon Collection: Mr Tennyson, Reading In Memoriam to his Sovereign, 1904. Artist: Max Beerbohm

Mr Tennyson, Reading In Memoriam to his Sovereign, 1904. Artist: Max Beerbohm
Mr Tennyson, Reading In Memoriam to his Sovereign, 1904. Illustration from The Poets Corner, by Max Beerbohm, (London, 1904)

Background imageCartoon Collection: A whale and three fish (representing Japan) eating Russian sailors for dinner

A whale and three fish (representing Japan) eating Russian sailors for dinner. Woodcut, c1905, by Kiyochika Kobayashi
RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR, c1905. A whale and three fish (representing Japan) eating Russian sailors for dinner. Woodcut, c1905, by Kiyochika Kobayashi

Background imageCartoon Collection: Roosevelt Cartoon, 1904

Roosevelt Cartoon, 1904
ROOSEVELT CARTOON, 1904. Jack and the Wall Street Giants. American lithograph cartoon by Udo Keppler, 1904, depicting a tiny President Theodore Roosevelt preparing to wield the sword of Public

Background imageCartoon Collection: A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND. Lithograph poster, 1948, by Ben Shahn for the Progressive Party

A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND. Lithograph poster, 1948, by Ben Shahn for the Progressive Party, satirizing the popular 1945 photograph of Harry Truman playing a piano adorned by actress Lauren Bacall;

Background imageCartoon Collection: Brian Cox, caricature

Brian Cox, caricature
Brian Cox (born 1968). Caricature of the British particle physicist, science TV presenter and former musician Brian Edward Cox

Background imageCartoon Collection: Albert Einstein, artwork

Albert Einstein, artwork
Albert Einstein. Cartoon of the Swiss-German physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955). Einstein is best known for his paper on the special theory of relativity

Background imageCartoon Collection: REPUBLIC OF TURKEY: POSTER. The Republic of Turkey symbolized as an unveiled woman

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY: POSTER. The Republic of Turkey symbolized as an unveiled woman, leading the horse of the regimes founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Poster, c1925

Background imageCartoon Collection: The Prime Minister: Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne Cecil, 3rd Marquis of Salisbury

The Prime Minister: Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne Cecil, 3rd Marquis of Salisbury (1830-1903) British Conservative statesman. Prime Minister 1885, 1886, 1895-1902, in 1900

Background imageCartoon Collection: Raining cats and dogs

Raining cats and dogs. Historical artwork of cats, dogs and pitchforks raining down on people in a town street. The saying raining cats and dogs is used when referring to a heavy downpour of rain



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Cartoons have long been a powerful medium for social and political commentary, using humor and satire to convey important messages. From the early 19th century to the present day, these illustrations have captured significant moments in history and exposed societal issues. In 1911, an American Socialist poster depicted the capitalist pyramid, highlighting the unequal distribution of wealth in society. This thought-provoking image aimed to raise awareness about economic disparities and advocate for a more equitable system. Another notable cartoon from 1802 by James Gillray satirized Edward Jenner's vaccination efforts against smallpox. Titled "The Cow-Pock, " it cleverly criticized Jenner's controversial method while shedding light on public skepticism towards medical advancements. In 1805, Gillray created another iconic piece titled "The Plumb-pudding in danger, " mocking Napoleon Bonaparte's peace overture with British Prime Minister William Pitt. The cartoon portrayed both leaders carving up the world like a meal, symbolizing their hunger for power during times of conflict. During the mid-19th century, cartoons were also used as a means to address environmental concerns. An 1866 illustration called "Deaths Dispensary" highlighted water pollution as a source of disease, emphasizing the need for clean water sources and proper sanitation practices. Punch magazine contributed its fair share of memorable cartoons too. In 1855, they published an amusing depiction featuring dinosaurs roaming around London's Crystal Palace exhibition—an imaginative blend of science fiction and humor that captivated readers at that time. Moving forward to World War II era propaganda posters; one lithograph from around 1943 featured Potato Pete urging people to join him in attacking enemies—a playful yet persuasive way to encourage support for war efforts through relatable characters. Imperialism was also critiqued through cartoons such as an American illustration from 1882 named "The Devilfish in Egyptian Waters.