Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
The Yankey Torpedo |
Place of Origin |
England, London |
Artist or Maker |
Tegg, Thomas (1776-1845) from a drawing by William Elmes |
Date |
1813 |
Materials |
Colored Engraving on Paper |
Dimension Details |
Height: 9 3/8" Width: 13" |
Description |
This satirical political cartoon depicts a sea monster respresenting an American torpedo attacking a British ship. A demon bearing an American flag stands atop the monster's head. The monster's jaws are open wide and blowing fire, serpents, bones, tools, artillery and a skeleton against a burly British sailor on deck. Speech balloons convey messages from the different figures. The demon says, "Grapple him Citizen and I'll play one of my Infernal capers under his bottom," while the skeleton in a fighting stance replies, "I'll tip you a yankey torpedo." The sailor, holding a sword inscribed "British Steel" responds, " Blown my hull indeed---you may kiss my....tafferal-Mr. Yankee doodle-Shiver me---I'll tip you a taste of the Shannon and send you down to old Davy." The drawing by American caricaturist William Elmes (active 1811-1820) was created during the War of 1812, during which torpedos and other explosive devises were used in defense of New York against the blockading British fleet. It was engraved and published in 1813 by the London book and print seller Thomas Tegg. |
Provenance |
Charles Hamilton Galleries, Inc., New York, New York, Sale 44, 9/17/70, Lot 292 Purchased by H. Richard Dietrich, Jr. (1938-2007), Chester Springs, Pennsylvania (Charles Sessler, Inc. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, agent), 1970 Bequest to The Dietrich American Foundation, 2007 |
Object Name |
Engraving |
Object ID |
7.7.HRD.1457 |