Catalog Archive
Auction 132, Lot 63

"An Eclipse Lately discovered in the Georgium Sidus, and quite unexpected by any of the Astronomers"

Subject: Cartographic Miscellany

Period: 1829 (published)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
10 x 13.6 inches
25.4 x 34.5 cm
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A political cartoon showing the Duke of Wellington eclipsing the light from King George IV, and casting a shadow across England - but not Ireland. It was published after British Prime Minister Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, passed the Catholic Emancipation Act through parliament. The king is portrayed as the planet Uranus, which was originally called Georgium Sidus (George's Star) in honor of King George III. Engraved by an obvious nom de plume, A. Sharpshooter, and published by S.W. Fores of 41 Piccadilly, London.

References:

Condition: B+

There are some tears in the blank margins and some old paper hinges on verso. There is a born ink description of the engraving written in a neat contemporary hand at lower right.

Estimate: $275 - $350

Sold for: $200

Closed on 6/2/2010

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