Fat Cat Collection

Man thinking of the food he will eat at Christmas
A gluttonous man thinking about the food and drink he will consume at Christmas! From " The Comic Almanack for 1839: An Ephemeris in Jest and Earnest

Victorian satirical cartoon, Public Charity
Vintage engraving of a victorian satirical cartoon, Public Charity, When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth

Victorian satire on capitalism and labour
Vintage engraving of a Victorian satire on capitalism and labour. A greed capitalist boss carried on the backs of his workers. 1890

Fat Cat
Raissa Oltmanns

"The Capital and the Capitalist"from The Russian Revolutionary Poster by V. Polonski, 1925
XND76075 " The Capital and the Capitalist" from The Russian Revolutionary Poster by V. Polonski, 1925 by Deni, Viktor Nikolaevich (1893-1946); Private Collection; Russian, out of copyright

Capitalism from L Assiette Au Beurre magazine, pub
CSM74185 Capitalism from L Assiette Au Beurre magazine, pub. June 1907 (litho) (see also 75319) by Galantara, Gabriele (Rata Langa) (1865-1937); Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design

The Beast (Capitalism): It is only when one has killed this beast that Real Social Truth
CSM75319 The Beast (Capitalism): It is only when one has killed this beast that Real Social Truth comes to light, engraved by the artist from L Assiette Au Beurre, pub

Overworked Clerk, Hard At Work, The Gov nor Walks In (colour litho)
3094173 Overworked Clerk, Hard At Work, The Gov nor Walks In (colour litho) by Browne, Tom (1872-1910); Private Collection; (add.info.: Overworked Clerk, Hard At Work, The Gov nor Walks In)

Fat cat, wearing monocle, alongside various less favoured pussies (colour litho)
2797942 Fat cat, wearing monocle, alongside various less favoured pussies (colour litho) by Sager, Xavier (1870-1930); Private Collection; (add.info.: Fat cat, wearing monocle)

The Bosses of the Senate, illustration from the American magazine Puck
NYH177782 The Bosses of the Senate, illustration from the American magazine Puck, January 23rd 1889 (coloured engraving) by Keppler, Joseph (1838-94); Collection of the New-York Historical Society

A man of cheques: a wealthy man in a checked suit (colour litho)
6000033 A man of cheques: a wealthy man in a checked suit (colour litho) by Hardy, Dudley (1867-1922); Private Collection; (add.info.: A man of cheques: a wealthy man in a checked suit)

Wall Street Fat Cat Gambling with Other Peoples Money, 1908 (lithograph)
2622519 Wall Street Fat Cat Gambling with Other PeopleAs Money, 1908 (lithograph) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Cat, from the Nursery Rhyme, Hey Diddle Diddle
Vintage illustration of by Randolph Caldecott from the Nursery Rhyme, Hey Diddle Diddle. The Cat

Licensed victuallers dinner
Amusing depiction of a licensed victuallers dinner, with dishes appropriate for inn-keepers. From " The Comic Almanack for 1839: An Ephemeris in Jest and Earnest

The expense of lawyers, 1770. A smug lawyer in a lace shirt about to eat an oyster while giving a half-shell to two miserable looking men; a reference to the high cost of legal fees

Reform Banquet at the Guildhall, London, 1837
Interior view of the Guildhall, London during the Reform Banquet, 1837

Our (Very) Friendly Societies!, 1886. Artist: Joseph Swain
Our (Very) Friendly Societies!, 1886. The representative of Britains honest and sober working-class is diligently posting his small savings into the door of the Cormorant Friendly Society

Conscience makes Cowards!, 1873. Artist: Joseph Swain
Conscience makes Cowards!, 1873. Mr Punch confronts a railway director. The director is emphatic that he would not imperil the lives of his wife

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In the realm of Victorian satire on capitalism and labor, a "fat cat" emerges as a symbol of excess and exploitation. This term encapsulates the gluttonous nature of those who grow rich at the expense of underpaid workers they control. As Christmas approaches, one can't help but imagine these fat cats salivating over lavish feasts while their employees struggle to make ends meet. A vivid portrayal in a satirical cartoon titled "Public Charity" depicts William Henry Vanderbilt, Jay Gould, and Cyrus Field growing plump on the backs of their underprivileged workforce. The color lithograph captures the essence of their greed and highlights how capitalism enables such disparities. "The Capital and the Capitalist, " an impactful poster from 1925 by V. Polonski, further exposes this beast called capitalism that thrives on inequality. It emphasizes that true social justice can only be achieved when this monster is slain. Another illustration from L'Assiette Au Beurre magazine portrays capitalism as "The Beast. " In this image, it becomes evident that real social truth can only emerge once we rid ourselves of its oppressive grip. Meanwhile, an overworked clerk toils away tirelessly in another colorful lithograph titled "Hard At Work. " This depiction serves as a stark contrast to the fat cat's idle indulgence; it showcases how ordinary individuals bear the burden while capitalists reap excessive rewards. In yet another caricatured scene entitled "Fat Cat, " we witness a feline adorned with a monocle alongside other less favored pussies. This visual metaphor underscores how some thrive while others barely survive within our capitalist society. "The Bosses of the Senate, " an illustration featured in Puck magazine, reveals how wealthy elites exert control over political systems for personal gain. Their influence perpetuates income inequality and consolidates power into fewer hands. Lastly, there is "A man of cheques": a wealthy figure clad in a checked suit depicted through vibrant colors in a lithograph.