Item #13635 The great South Sea Caterpillar, transform'd into a Bath Butterfly. Joseph Banks, James Gillray.

The great South Sea Caterpillar, transform'd into a Bath Butterfly.

London: H. Humphrey No. 37 New Bond Street, July 4th 1795. First printing. Satirical cartoon spoofing the social elevation of Joseph Banks, who accompanied Cook. Banks' head is transposed on a butterfly arising out of the mud, gazing upwards towards the Crown, depicted as the center of the sun, with the Order of Bath pinned to his coat. Banks rapid ascension in social rank is compared to a insect who first "crawl'd into notice from among the Weeds & Mud on the Banks of the South Sea; & being afterwards placed in a Warm Situation by the Royal Society" is awarded the Order of Bath.

Rex Nan Kivell Collection NK1603; Libraries Australia ID 6589578. Exhibited: "Inked: Australian Cartoons", National Library of Australia, March - August 2019; exhibited: 'Cook & Omai: The Cult of the South Seas', NLA 2001; hand coloured copy U7220 exhibited: Australian National Gallery opening exhibition, 1982; British Museum Catalogue, 8718.

This copy uncolored, but an early impression, with no printing on the verso. Margin from the right side added to the left side, losing the impression mark from the left side. 9 5/8 x 14" Very good overall. Item #13635

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