Blood & Co. setting fire to the tower & stealing the crown

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James Gillray
1756-1815
Blood & Co. setting fire to the tower & stealing the crown
aquatint & etching, hand colored
image: 234 x 343 mm; sheet: 254 x 358 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2674
Published: 
[London] : Pubd. July 26th, 1788, by H. Humphrey, New Bond Street, [1788]
Notes: 

Title etched below image.
Attributed to Gillray in the British Museum catalogue.
Following imprint: Price 1 s.
Sheet trimmed within plate mark.

Summary: 

"Fox, followed by Burke and Sheridan, hastily leaves a vaulted archway from which issue smoke and flames. George Hanger (left) runs in front, holding a burning firebrand; behind him is the White Tower in flames. Fox carries the crown which he partly conceals under his voluminous coat. Burke, dressed as a Jesuit (cf. BMSat 6026), holds the sceptre; he looks with satisfaction at Sheridan, who takes his arm. Sheridan holds the orb; in his hat is an election favour inscribed 'Townsend'. Hanger wears a cocked hat with an election favour, his military coat and tight breeches are in rags; under his arm is a sack labelled 'Unmill'd Coin'. Torn bills pasted on the wall behind Fox's head are inscribed 'the Westminster Election; for the Interest of Lord J. Townsd', and 'Leak's Pills'."--British Museum online catalogue.

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