Doyle’s bacchanalian frieze from the 1849 version of the front cover. Presented as a mock-classical frieze, the relief is typical of the artist’s humour, combining anachronism and incongruity (the angel playing a tuba), with lively diminutive figures; Pan appears on the right hand side, while Priapus, a leering Mr Punch, takes centre stage, holding his member/flag pole [Detail]. Wood engraving, cut by Swain; 2¼ x 7 inches. [Click on image to enlarge it.]
Photograph and text by Simon Cooke. You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link to this URL in a web document or cite it in a print one.
Bibliography
Punch. London: Bradbury & Evans, 1849.
Created 1 March 2021