Item 31: An Engraving of John Wilkes, by Unknown, entitled “Jean Wilkes, Ecuyer", [ca. 1772-1799]

Item — Box: 6, Folder: 31

Staff Only

An Engraving of John Wilkes, by Unknown, entitled “Jean Wilkes, Ecuyer,” [ca. 1772-1799]

Dates

Created: [ca. 1772-1799]

Access:

All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.

Extent

1 items

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Type of Material:

Engraving

Condition Note:

Good

Measurements:

11 ¾ in. x 8 ¾ in.

Title:

Jean Wilkes, Ecuyer

Description:

The following item depicts a French engraving of John Wilkes (1725-1797), by an unknown creator, entitled “Jean Wilkes, Ecuyer, Elu Alderman de Londres,” or “John Wilkes, Elected Alderman of London,” dated for his appointment on January 2, 1769. In the image, Wilkes is presented in full figure, wearing a three piece attire and cape. He has a decorative clasp at the front of the cape, and stands with one hand pointed out before him. There is a balcony detailed in the background, along with the natural landscape. A description is provided underneath which details in French the accounts of his political career, including his parliamentary election, imprisonment, his second election to parliament, and his time serving as the Lord Mayor of London and the Chaimberlain of London. This piece is a reprint of an original engraved for distribution in the Lady’s Magazine in 1772. This was an early magazine targeted towards women, which besides news would cover topics such as poetry, fiction, music, and fashion. It is likely Wilkes is presented favorably here as he intervened to help a collaborator of one of the cofounders of the magazine. John Wheble (1746- 1820) was a printer and publisher for the magazine as well as a close friend to John Coote, co-founder of the Lady’s Magazine. Wheble was accused of publishing prints of parliamentary debates, however John Wilkes intervened in the matter and helped get the charges dropped. The identity of the engraver is not known. It is likely this copy was used for circulation in France to inform on Wilkes and his passing. The date for the publication of the item is estimated by a comparison with a similar item digitized on the New York Public Library’s website.

Transcription:

Jean Wilkes, Ecuyer Elu Alderman de Londres, le 2. janvier 1769

Wilkes (John) Né a Londres en 1727, mort en 1797 ------------------------- Membre des communes en 1757 et 1761; le liguala pav ler cerita dam le parti de l’opposition. Il Jus enfernie dour la pour de Londres, puis relâché. Accusé une seconde fois il pana en France et en Italie. Revint en angleterre es deux fois élu au parlement, il fus deux foir repoussé. Élu Lord Maire de Londres, Il eutza en parliament en 1774; nommé ensuite chambellan de la ville de Londres , il cessa son opposition active Translation Attempt: {Member of the communes in 1757 and 1761; the ligala pav cenita them to the opposition party.item He was imprisoned in London, then released. Accused a second time, he went to France and Italy. Returned to England twice elected to parliament, he was twice rejected. Elected Lord Mayor of London, He served in parliament in 1774; then appointed chamberlain of the city of London, he ceased his active opposition}