The battle of the clubs, or, The game of beat knave out of doors [graphic] / JS [monogram] f.

[London] : Pubd. by Thos. Cornell, Bruton Street, 21st Decr. 1792.

1 print : etching and aquatint ; plate mark 20.2 x 24.3 cm, on sheet 25 x 33 cm

wove paper.

Temporary local subject terms: Associations: Association for Preserving Liberty & Property Against Republicans & Levellers -- Cards: Royal clubs -- Vermin -- Loyalty -- House of cards.

Bequeathed by James Sayers to his sister and later given to Lord Eldon. Purchased from Christie's sale of Fine Books and Manuscripts, lot 305, 19 June 2012, with Lord Eldon's notebook (now LWL Mss Vol. 202).

"Within a handsome room, whose roof is supported by Corinthian columns, is a medley of playing-cards: the whole suit of clubs headed by the king and queen. On the extreme right is the knave (Fox), who is being kicked out of the door by the toe of the king which protrudes beyond the lower right corner of the card. Fox looks alarmed, saying, "Now I must associate". The queen holds a shield on which are the arms of the City of London. A banner emerging from the cards is inscribed: 'Associations for preserving Liberty & Property against Republicans & Levellers'. Above the door (right) is a picture: 'Plan of a new Constitution'; a house of cards is being demolished by a blast inscribed 'Loyalty' which issues from a head in the upper left corner; the topmost (but dislodged) card is the knave of clubs. On the extreme left are two rats: one holds up a card, a ten of (mixed) clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades; he says, "Association of the Dissenters" (the initial word 'loyal' has been scored through). The other rat watches him, saying, "As the Cards are against us we had better join the Clubs"."--British Museum online catalogue.

Game of beat knave out of doors

English

July 20, 2007

Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 6, no. 8144