Thread: VANITY FAIR caricature Cartoons commonly known as 'SPY' Lithographs (prints)

Thomas Gibson Bowles a civil service clerk founded 'Vanity Fair' with an initial investment of three hundred pounds on 0711 1868. His first artist, Carlo Pelligrini an Italian exile produced his first cartoon signed as 'Singe' and afterwards 'Ape' of the Rt Hon Benjamin Disraeli appearing as Issue No 1 on
30th January 1869

As these fine works are part of a social history of this country I intend to post Issue by Issue in numerical order, the records of these fine works by many celebrated artists including 'SPY' ( Sir Leslie Ward) and those members who wish to imput into finding their ancestral connections will experience an absorbing interest of the later Victorian and Edwardian periods. Hoping to enjoy this journey Wak!

May I respectfully ask all those interested to start with its founder

Thomas Gibson BOWLES the original owner
(1842-1922)






2362 issues of these highly sought after images were published from 3001 1869 to 0502 1914