This is a genuine 19th-century antique satirical print.
It was published by John Field, in April 1829
This is an original hand-coloured etching entitled: Paddy Arthur's Night Charge.
This harder-to-find print shows King George IV, alert and youthful, but with a gouty leg supported on a footstool. He sits in his chair and is shown as a night constable in a watchhouse. He is listening to the charge brought by two watchmen (the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel) against a fierce-looking old woman (Eldon, an adviser to the ultra-Protestant peers).
Beside him is a table with a frothing tankard on top and a pipe. Eldon stands behind the bar. Wellington points to him, saying, 'We told this troublesome Old Woman your Worship to move off our bate, and told her your Worship had no occasion for her services so she called Bob and I Ugly Names.'
Peel, very knock-kneed and holding a lighted lantern, his rattle slung from his shoulders, stands near Eldon, saying, 'Your Worship she called me a Carrotty Headed Rat Catcher'. The King: 'Right Paddy Arthur she was always troublesome I kept her a long while in my Service, though much blamed for it, Well Mrs Baggs what have you to say to this Charge.' He answers: 'Please your Worship I am glad of this opportunity of telling you a bit of my mind, I come to protest against the verdict in favor of Pope & C°. I have been labouring Night & day for the firm of W—ch—a F—l—th & C°, done all their dirty work and now like your Worship they've deserted me in my Old Age, Thirty years and upwards have I worked for you and yours I hope therefore your worship will not forsake me in my Old Age.'
Lady Conyngham (the King's Mistress) stands behind his chair, wearing the coat and neckcloth of a mail-coach guard.
An impression of this fine print is in the collection of the British Museum in London. Another impression is in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
This is a guaranteed genuine antique original print - it is NOT a later reproduction. It is a hard-to-source print - and in good antique condition. This is reflected in my asking price.
Dimensions: Frame size is 37 x 48 cm. The image size is 23.5 x 35 cm.
CONDITION: sold in a simple wooden frame. It is a nice clean impression - it is in a vintage pale grey window mount. The print might benefit from a new fresh mount - but the current one is certainly fine - and you could readily hang this work as sold on your wall.
Sadly, this interesting antique print would have to be posted to UK addresses only. Postage quoted here is going to be £10 for UK postage, tracked and signed for with Parcelforce48.