Lot 146 - Antique Vanity Fair Chromolithograph Print Cartoon Titled “Mike," From Men Of The Day No. 653, By Sir Leslie Ward, Vincent, Brooks, Day & Son Lithographers, July 16, 1896, Framed, 11-3/4" x 17-3/4"

Antique framed Vanity Fair chromolithograph caricature titled “Mike,” depicting Mr. Richard Arthur Henry Mitchell, part of the Men of the Day series No. 653, published July 16, 1896. Lithographed by Vincent, Brooks, Day & Son after the work of Sir Leslie Ward, who signed under the pseudonym “SPY”; his printed signature appears in the image. The portrait shows a tall man leaning back on a cane, wearing a brimmed straw hat with color ribbon, flower on lapel, and suit.

The reverse retains its original paper backing with a taped printed text sheet reading:
“Men of the Day No. 653”, “Mr. R. A. H. Mitchell”
“Mr. Richard Arthur Henry Mitchell is a very popular Eton Master whose years are uncertain. He took Day's House at the corner of Keat's Lane some thirty years ago, and moved to his present House twelve years later; a year or two after he had married. Though he is not a great scholar yet he is an excellent teacher of (boys) and quite an admirable House Master. He is a very good golfer who began rather late in life; but he dislikes interruption so much that when on the putting green in the spring larks are not allowed to sing overhead, lest they might put him off his stroke. He used to encourage theatricals, but he always drew the line at classical reproductions in classical costume. He has played much excellent cricket, as every cricketer knows, and he has three sons, all of whom were in the Eleven — the newest of them this year; consequently he prefers dry bobs to wet bobs, and has been known to sing in part-songs.
The only thing that he cannot stand is the boy who breaks windows. Yet all the boys like ‘Mike.’”

Also handwritten on the same taped paper is: “Cartoons — ‘Vanity Fair,’ a magazine — no longer in existence — printed a series of cartoons of famous men — artist signed them ‘SPY,’” and “For Jim Sallera” (last name partially illegible). Paper back exhibits water staining and wear to tape around the edges.