[The images and text from Punch come from the Internet Archive’s online version of a copy in the University of Toronto Library. — George P. Landow]
Two by Bernard Partridge. Left: Looking Ahead, the title-page of Punch’s Almanack for 1902, in an image that bears some similarities to the work of Edward J. Sullivan, emphasizes Great Britain as a commander of the oceans. Right: Peace asks, “I wonder if there will be a place for me at the coronation?” (23 April 1902).
Two uses of fairies and fairy-tales. Left: S. Maybank’s The Coronation of Oberon and Titania, which appeared on 25 June 1902 (481), draws on Victorian fairy-painting, suggesting to the twenty-first century reader (and perhaps to the Edwardian one as well) the large element of fantasy in the coronation of a king and queen who functioned increasingly more as symbols and less as actual rulers. Right: Bernard Partridge’s Not Forgotten; or, the Modern Cinderella , which appeared on 18 June 1902 (435), goes a long way towards explaining the popularity of Queen Alexandra. The Fairy Queen tells the unhappy housemaid, “I hope to see you at five o’clock tea” as the text beneath explains
[On the occasion of the Coronation the Queen will entertain at tea ten thousand maids of all work, ‘Generals,’ who will afterwards be commemoratively decorated by Her Gracious Majesty.]
The very idea of recognizing the importance of housemaids and other female servants suggests dramatic changes in both social attitudes and the public roles of the monarchy.
Last modified 5 June 2017