Item 26: Engraving of John Wilkes by Bickham, (removed to Oversized Box #2), 1763 June

Item — Box: 6, Folder: 26

Staff Only

Dates

Created: 1763 June

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:

Okay.

Measurements:

10 ⅞ in. x 9 in.

Title:

N/A

Description:

“In June 1763 with all England taking sides over the North Briton No. 45 attack on the King’s Ministers by Wilkes, Bickham published this frontispiece to a pro-Wilkes pamphlet. In a very poor resemblance to Wilkes, he is shown in the Tower of London behind bars. The print is captioned. A wit’s a feather, and a chief’s a rod: An honest man’s the noble work of God. The lines are from Alexander Pope’s Essay on Man. Later in the year Wilkes himself was under attack for publishing an obscene parody of the same work but entitled An Essay on Woman. Wilkes was then expelled from parliament in January 1964.

Transcription:

A Wits a Feather, and a Chiefs a Rod; An honest Man’s the Noble work of God. To front ye Title Page

Engrav’d by Bickham according to Act of Parliament June 1973. As a frontispiece to John Wilkes Esqr. Book. Who was sent to the Tower.