A tailor and his wife are assisting two men into suits of clothing, although the clothes are ill-fitting. Etching.

Date:
Decr. 10th 1791
Reference:
35289i
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Description

"A tailor stands behind his customer (left) adjusting the collar and sleeves of a grotesquely ill-fitting coat which is buttoned across the stomach and reaches to the ankles. The high collar pushes the man's pigtail queue above his head, but he looks with satisfaction in a mirror which reflects the upper half of his person. The tailor's wife (right), a tall stout woman, is pulling up the breeches of this customer's son; they are of the long close-fitting pattern then fashionable, tied with strings above the ankle. All four are caricatured, and all smile or grin with satisfaction. The tailor is fashionably dressed."--British Museum catalogue, loc. cit.

Publication/Creation

London (Fleet Street) : Robt. Sayer, Decr. 10th 1791.

Physical description

1 print : etching ; image 17.5 x 23 cm

Lettering

Snip's warehouse for ready made cloaths - great variety of fancy waistcoats. ... Lettering continues below: "Does it come up high in the collar Mr -- O! yes Sir - it sits to a charm - 'tis ease & elegance itself - can your Honor button it - Yes Mr -- but don't you think it too full - not at all Your Honor, you woud'nt wish to be pinch'd to be sure -- (Mrs Snip) And Sir I hope the young gentleman's breeches will be quite to his satisfaction Sir, do ye see, tho to be sure they comes on a little stiffish or so at first - but You know Sir every thing gets easier in time as a body may say -- I desires him to thrust himself well in - and I am sure they'll do."

References note

British Museum, Catalogue of political and personal satires, no. 8036

Reference

Wellcome Collection 35289i

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