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

Creator/production credits

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

References note

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

Reference

Wellcome Collection 581026i

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