Edward Knatchbull-Hugessen – Vanity Fair Statesmen No. 51, Signed Ape, 1870
Description: This original chromolithograph caricature was published in Vanity Fair on June 11, 1870, as part of the Statesmen series. Numbered Statesmen No. 51, the print bears the caption “A promising apprentice.” The sitter is Edward Hugessen Knatchbull-Hugessen (1829–1893), later 1st Baron Brabourne, a British Liberal politician active in mid-Victorian public life.
At the time of publication, Knatchbull-Hugessen served as Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department. He was regarded as an emerging political figure within the Liberal Party, and Vanity Fair’s caption reflects contemporary expectations of advancement rather than established authority.
The caricature is signed “Ape” within the image, identifying the artist as Carlo Pellegrini. Pellegrini’s style is evident in the controlled exaggeration of facial features, the upright stance, and the confident use of costume to convey social position. The top hat, cane, and formal dress emphasize ambition and visibility within political society.
Early Vanity Fair Statesmen caricatures from 1870 are particularly sought after, representing the formative years of the magazine’s visual identity. Today they are valued both as historical political portraits and as decorative works suited to libraries, studies, and classic interiors.
Condition: Good original condition with light overall age toning consistent with 19th-century paper. No major losses or repairs observed.
Framing tips: An ivory or warm cream mat board works well with the pale background. A black, ebonized, or dark walnut wooden frame provides a strong, period-appropriate contrast.
Dimensions: Approximately 13 1/2 x 8 3/8 inches (342 x 214 mm), overall
Technique: Chromolithograph Maker: Carlo Pellegrini (“Ape”), London, 1870
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