CHANNEL TUNNEL [Chunnel]- Rare 1888 CARTOON SATIRE: Gladstone & Edward W. Watkin

Description: SOURCE: British PUNCH humor/satire magazine, June 30, 1888, original, pulled from the magazine, not a modern reproduction. Illustrated by Linley Sambourne. Size 8 1/2 x 11", image shown is slightly cropped. CONDITION: very good -- age toning, clean, no handling/storage wear, paper lays flat for easy framing; backside has unrelated text with some show-through (ghosting) on the facing side, as published -- please look closely. THE WATKIN SPIDER AND THE GLADSTONE FLY (New Version)-- BASED ON -- What is the meaning of the spider and the fly? The first line of the poem is "'Will you walk into my parlour?' said the Spider to the Fly." The story tells of a cunning spider who entraps a fly into its web through the use of seduction and manipulation. The poem is a cautionary tale against those who use flattery and charm to disguise their true intentions.VERSE AT BOTTOM OF CARTOON:“Will you walk into my Tunnel?” said the Spider to the Fly,“’Tis the handiest little Tunnel that ever you did spy.You’ve only got to pop your head inside and peep, no more,and you’ll see many curious things you never saw before.Will you, will you, will you, will you, walk in, Grand Old Fly?”Now, this particular Grand Old Fly was very “fly,” you know,And had clear business notions and ideas of quid pro quo.Says he, “About your Tunnel patriots doubt, alarmists chafe;of course, it’s most ridiculous, but will you swear it’s safe?Oh, will you, will you, will you, will you?” said the Grand Old Fly.Said the Spider to the Fly, “It’s most absurd, upon my soul,To see so big a nation scared about so small a hole.To share the scare that’s in the air is worthy, don’t you know,Not of a Grand Old Fly like you, but of a midge like JOE!1Then won’t you, won’t you, won’t you, won’t you, plucky Grand OldFly?“Will you show the feather white and vote with Joseph, Grand OldFly?”“No, if I do, may I be shot! It may be, by-and-by,I’ll ask you – but no matter; with you now my lot is cast.”The Spider laughed, “Ha, Ha! My boy, I’ve got you safe at last!You will then, will then, will then, will then, really Grand Old Fly! --Gladstone, centre, is lured into the Tunnel by Watkin, right. On the left, a fly labelled ‘shareholders’ is caught in Watkin’s web. --Sir Edward William Watkin, 1st Baronet (26 September 1819 – 13 April 1901) was a British Member of Parliament and railway entrepreneur. He was an ambitious visionary, and presided over large-scale railway engineering projects… Among his more notable projects were: his expansion of the Metropolitan Railway, part of today's London Underground; the construction of the Great Central Main Line, a purpose-built high-speed railway line; the creation of a pleasure garden with a partially constructed iron tower at Wembley; and a failed attempt to dig a Channel Tunnel under the English Channel to connect his railway empire to the French rail network. Over 4,000 Punch cartoons listed for sale (store category "Punch cartoons"), combine orders and save shipping charges. Questions are always welcome. Please use 'Add to Basket' instead of 'Buy now' if buying more than one so that eBay only charges one lot of postage per order.. WHO IS THE ARTIST:Edward Linley Sambourne (4 January 1844 – 3 August 1910) was an English cartoonist and illustrator most famous for being a draughtsman for the satirical magazine Punch for more than forty years and rising to the position of "First Cartoonist" in his final decade. WHAT IS PUNCH? Punch, a magazine of humor and satire, ran from 1841-2002. A very British institution renowned internationally for its wit and irreverence, it helped to coin the term "cartoon" in its modern sense as a humorous illustration. Punch was the world's most celebrated magazine of wit and satire. From its early years as a campaigner for social justice to its transformation into national icon, Punch played a central role in the formation of British identity -- and how the rest of the world saw the British nation. In its formative years Punch combined humors, illustration and political debate with a fresh and radical audacity. During its heyday in the late 1800s, it reflected the conservative views of the growing middle-classes and copies of it could be found in the libraries of diplomats, cabinet ministers and even royalty. In the Western world, Punch played a significant role in the development of satire. In the world of illustration, it practically revolutionized it. Over the decades as it charted the interests, concerns and frustrations of the country and today it stands as an invaluable source of cartoon art, satire, but as primary source material for historians.

Price: 15.95 USD

Location: Milton, Vermont

End Time: 2025-01-23T21:29:36.000Z

Shipping Cost: 6.95 USD