Political ravishment, or, The old lady of Threadneedle Street in danger! / Js. Gy. d. & fect.

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James Gillray
1756-1815
Political ravishment, or, The old lady of Threadneedle Street in danger! / Js. Gy. d. & fect.
[London] : Pubd May 22d, 1797, by H Humphrey, St James's Street, [1797]
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.427
Published: 
[London] : Pubd. May 22d, 1797, by H. Humphrey, St. James's Street, [1797]
Provenance: 
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Summary: 

Print shows the 'Old Lady' dressed entirely in 'One' pound notes, and seated on an iron-studded treasure-chest inscribed 'Bank of England', fastened by two heavy padlocks. She shrieks and throws up her skinny arms at Pitt's advances: he has taken a long stride towards her from the right, his right hand round her waist; his left dips into her pocket and takes out guineas. She shrieks: "Murder! - murder! - Rape! - murder! - O you Villain! - what have I kept my Honor untainted so long, to have it broke up, by you at last ? - O murder! - Rape! - Ravishment! - Ruin! - Ruin! - Ruin!!!" Pitt's hat lies on the ground; beneath it is a scroll headed 'Loans'. A lightly sketched arc of the rotunda of the Bank forms a background.

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