A spencer & a thread-paper

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James Gillray
1756-1815
A spencer & a thread-paper
[London] : Pubd May 17th 1792 by H Humphrey, No 18 Old Bond Street, [1792]
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.602
Published: 
[London] : Pubd. May 17th 1792 by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street, [1792]
Provenance: 
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Notes: 

Printmaker from George.
George identifies the subject on the left as George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer (1758-1834).

Summary: 

Print shows two men in back view walking arm-in-arm, one (left) is short and fat, the other tall and thin. The former wears a short coat or "spencer" over his tail-coat, with wrinkled top-boots and a round hat, and carries a riding-switch. His hair is in a short queue with projecting side-pieces. The other wears a cylindrical hat with brim curled up at the sides, a coat reaching almost to his ankles with five capes forming a point in the centre of the back, with shoes tied with strings. He carries a bludgeon. The shoulders of both men are frosted with powder.

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