A woman distributes bribes to groups of men. Engraving with letterpress, 1741.

Date:
7 March 1741
Reference:
576385i
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Description

The woman distributing bribes is labelled 'bribery and corruption'. Beyond, a cart inscribed 'The money press' is driven by 'Volpole Junior' (Horace or Horatio Walpole, brother of Robert) and carrying 'Volpone the Projector' (Sir Robert Walpole) who with his sword divides a child called 'sinking fund', from whose body gold is falling into the chest. On public resentment at Walpole's financial administration, in particular the Gin Act. Allegedly, great sums of money were absorbed by Walpole himself while many were prosecuted

Publication/Creation

[London] : [publisher not identified], 7 March 1741.

Physical description

1 print : engraving ; platemark 20.3 x 32.5 cm

Lettering

The state pack-horse ... Vat be dat machine do make de fok groan-e ... Judge den, if dere as not de ...

References note

British Museum, Catalogue of political and personal satires, vol. III, London 1978, no. 2484

Reference

Wellcome Collection 576385i

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