An apothecary in his laboratory concocting a mixture. Wood engraving by F.Mc F (?) after, 1876, after H.S. Marks.

[London] : The Graphic, 8 July 1876.

1 print : wood engraving ; image 47.1 x 32.1 cm

The apothecary. From the picture by H.S. Marks, A.R.A., in the exhibition of the Royal Academy. F.McF. ...

On verso is a double page spread from the Graphic

Bears engraver's monogram FMcF or FMF: not identified in Rodney K. Engen, Dictionary of Victorian wood engravers, Cambridge 1985

Lettering continues: "'I do remember an apothecary, and hereabouts he dwells, whom late I noted in tattered weeds, with overwhelming brows, culling of simples; meagre were his looks; sharp misery had worn him to the bones: and in his needy shop a tortoise hung, an alligator stuff'd, and other skins of ill-shaped fishes; and about his shelves a beggarly account of empty boxes, green earthen pots, bladders, and musty seeds, remnants of packthread, and old cakes of roses were thinly scattered, to make up a show. Noting this penury, to myself I said, 'an' if a man did need a poison now, whose sale is present death in Mantua, here lives a caitiff wretch would sell it him.' Romeo and Juliet, Act. V., Sc. I." lines 37-86

Wellcome Library no. 16363i