Home > Animals > Birds > Suliformes > Cormorants > Little Black Cormorant
Our (Very) Friendly Societies!, 1886. Artist: Joseph Swain
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Heritage Images
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. On the other side of the door can be seen the cormorants, the directors of the society who are eating hugely, drinking deeply and enjoying the best cigars. This cartoon accompanies a poem of the same name which accuses such societies of keeping poor accounts, charging much, working little, and living on the proceeds of the thrift of the working classes. The percentage of profits made by societies sometimes were as high as fifty per cent. From Punch, or the London Charivari, March 20, 1886
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 14831955
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
Banking Cigar Cigars Corruption Director Drinking Eating Friendly Society Heritage Image Partnership Honesty John Tenniel Joseph Swain Sir John Tenniel Social Class Swain Tenniel Working Class Depositing Fat Cat Metaphor
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Animals
> Birds
> Cormorants
> Animals
> Birds
> Suliformes
> Cormorants
> Little Black Cormorant
> Animals
> Birds
> Suliformes
> Cormorants
> Little Cormorant
> Arts
> Artists
> T
> John Tenniel
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Related Images
Our (Very) Friendly Societies!, 1886
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a thought-provoking print that captures the stark contrast between the working class and the wealthy directors of friendly societies in Victorian Britain. In this satirical cartoon, Joseph Swain portrays a diligent working-class representative depositing his hard-earned savings into the Cormorant Friendly Society's door, while on the other side, cormorants - metaphorical representations of gluttonous directors - indulge in extravagant feasting, drinking, and smoking cigars. The image serves as a powerful critique of these societies' practices, accusing them of poor accounting, exorbitant charges, minimal work output, and exploiting the thriftiness of the working classes for their own benefit. It highlights how some friendly societies profited immensely from their members' contributions; profits sometimes reached an astonishing fifty percent. Through this biting caricature and accompanying poem titled "Our (Very) Friendly Societies!". Swain exposes corruption within banking systems and sheds light on social inequality prevalent during that era. The print encapsulates themes such as honesty versus deception, financial exploitation, social class divisions, and the struggle faced by ordinary workers to secure their future. This monochrome engraving from 19th-century London offers us a glimpse into history while reminding us of enduring issues surrounding finance and fairness. It prompts reflection on how far we have come in terms of transparency and accountability within financial institutions since then.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
