John Williams, a bookseller stands in the pillory in the Palace Yard, Westminster, surrounded by a cheering crowd. Engraving with ten verses in five columns below, 1765.

Date:
Feb 14 1765
Reference:
581543i
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view John Williams, a bookseller stands in the pillory in the Palace Yard, Westminster, surrounded by a cheering crowd. Engraving with ten verses in five columns below, 1765.

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Credit

John Williams, a bookseller stands in the pillory in the Palace Yard, Westminster, surrounded by a cheering crowd. Engraving with ten verses in five columns below, 1765. Wellcome Collection. Public Domain Mark. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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About this work

Description

Williams is held up as a martyr to the cause of liberty. He was punished on Wednesday, 23 Jan 1765 for reprinting John Wilkes's publication, 'The North Briton'. Williams holds a laurel branch, symbol of liberty. The two suspended jack-boots, scotch bonnet and axe far left refer to Lord Bute and opposition to Wilkes and his followers

Publication/Creation

[London] : Sold by E. Sumpter at the Bible and Crown, facing Salisbury Court, Fleet Street and at all the printsellers and pamphlet shops in London and Westminster, Feb 14 1765.

Physical description

1 print : etching ; platemark (image and title only) 24.2 x 34.4 cm

Contributors

Lettering

The pillory triumphant: or, no. 45 for ever. (Tune, there was a jovial beggar, etc.) ... Then to New Palace Yard etc. There are numerous speech bubbles within the image; publication line includes following: 'Where may also be had, the choice spirits museum, being a collection of songs by H. Howard, elegantly printed in quarto'

References note

British Museum, Catalogue of political and personal satires, no. 4115

Reference

Wellcome Collection 581543i

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