King George IV and the Marchioness of Conyngham grieve over the body of a dead giraffe, which had been sent to them by Mehmet Ali, Pasha of Egypt. Lithograph attributed to J. Doyle, 1829.

  • Doyle, John, 1797-1868.
Date:
Augt. 11 1829
Reference:
581026i
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Description

There is a black mourning border around the image. Left, two Nubians lament. Right, the Lord Chancellor Lord Eldon plays a dirge on the bagpipes (the King called him "Old Bags" because of the purse containing the Privy Seal carried by the Lord Chancellor), while next to him are a pillbox and a prescription signed "Abe[rne]thy", representing unsuccessful medicine for the giraffe

Publication/Creation

London (26 Haymarket) : T. McLean, Augt. 11 1829.

Physical description

1 print : lithograph ; image and border 27.3 x 37.7 cm

Contributors

Lettering

Le mort ; Suppose and suppose the giraffe it should die, Old Bags he should play over him, we'd sit down and cry Handwritten pencil inscription reads: Marchioness of Conyngham ; George IV ; Death of the giraffe sent George IV by Pasha of Egypt which he & the Marchioness were very fond of ; Eldon ; Egypt ; 40

References note

British Museum, Catalogue of political and personal satires, vol. XI, London 1954, no. 15845

Reference

Wellcome Collection 581026i

Creator/production credits

Attributed in the British Museum catalogue to HB, i.e. John Doyle

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