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.
Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.
Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.
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]
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From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
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