J H Buckingham - "Christmas Day"

Social History (Museum of St Albans)

2008.5514

Cartoon by J.H.Buckingham, 306 x 248 mm. "A Cockney Sportsman" with rifle accidentally shooting a couple who are "carried off by an Old Sow through a Horse Pond". A steam train is visible on the horizon, with St Albans Abbey to the left. Captions read: (top): "Notice only for Christmas day - Persons not wishing to be shot, had better stay at Home. Cockney Sportsman will be as numerous in the Lanes &c. as Fishermen by the streams in the environs of LONDON any one having a quantity of sparrows or any other BIrds may meet with a ready sale as they must take Home a proof of their extraordinary Skill to talk off [sic.] till the next Christmas Day." (centre right):"A Flight of Cupids let loose from the Counters &c. to encounter Roast Beef & Plum Pudding at their Papas & Mamas & other kind Relations also to astonish with their fine clothes & fine talk a la Feminine". (bottom left):"Cupid from the Counter on Christmas Day. a Cockney Sportsman by accident shoots a pair of Fine Turtle Doves. They are carried off by an Old Sow through a Horse Pond making them pretty Ducks - cooling their cooing - spoiling Their Clothes and their Holiday".

PH9240Buckingham.tif

Amy Cooke

3) MoStA Archive Room

St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK.

PWD box 9

26/04/2006