Tell Her I Love Her. Sung with unbounded Applause by Mr. Incledon, in his Popular Summer Entertainment "the Wandering Melodist"
London: Laurie & Whittle, Oct. 20, 1807. Scarce satirical etching showing weeping man leaning out of the stern window of a convict ship "The Bleeding Hearts", singing to two people in a row boat, both of whom weep in sympathy. The rower (possibly a caricature of an Aboriginal woman or an Irish woman or a man) wears a cap and smokes a pipe, while the passenger in three cornered hat, with packets of mail beside him, holds an envelope addressed "Sally Sly". At this time, those convicted of transportation in England were transported to Botany Bay. Although it is not explicitly referred to, it is highly likely to be the destination of "The Bleeding Hearts."
Charles Incledon (1763 - 1826) was a singer from Cornwall known as the principal English tenor of the day, and a popular ballad singer. He appeared at Covent Garden, toured the United States, and called himself the Wandering Melodist after retiring from opera. OCLC: 701837236 cites 1 copy at Yale, and references a copy in the British Museum, BM 10951.
With the verses from the song in two columns below the illustration;
"Tell her I'll love her, till the clouds drop rain; Or while there's water in the Pathless main; ... Tell her all this, tell it o'er and o'er, The anchor's weigh'd or I wou'd tell her more."
The number 472 at the lower left corner; and the publication line: "Publish'd Octr. 20. 1807. by LAURIE & WHITTLE, 53. Fleet Street, London". 10 1/2 x 8 3/4". Slightly toned, slt. marked left side. A corner replaced on the upper left, affecting only the ruled border. Very good overall. Item #17249
Price: $450.00