Appendix
BONNELL THORNTON’S SIGNBOARD EXHIBITION.
On the evening of Tuesday, 23d of March 1762, the ladies and gentlemen of London were informed at their tea-tables, by means of the St James’s Chronicle, of the following fact:--
“PROSCRIPT.”
INTELLIGENCE EXTRAORDINARY.
“Strand. The Society of Manufactures, Art, and Commerce, are preparing for the annual Exhibition of Polite Arts, hoping by Degrees to render this Nation as eminent in Taste as War; and that, by bestowing Præmiums, and encouraging a generous Emulation, among the Artists, the Productions of Painting, Sculpture, &c., may no longer be considered as Exotics, but naturally flourish in the Soil of Great Britain.”
Immediately under this notice was the following:--
“Grand Exhibition. The Society of Sign-painters are also preparing a most magnificent Collection of Portraits, Landscapes, Fancy Pieces, Flower Pieces, History Pieces, Night Pieces, Sea Pieces, Sculpture Pieces, &c., &c., designed by the ablest Masters, and executed by the best Hands in these kingdoms. The Virtuosi will have a new Opportunity of displaying their Taste on this Occasion, by discovering the different Stile of the several Masters employed, and pointing out by what Hand each Piece is drawn. A remarkable Cognoscente who has attended at the Society’s great Room, with his Glass, for several Mornings, has already piqued himself on discovering the famous Painter of the Rising Sun, a modern Claude Lorraine, in an elegant Night-piece of the Man-in-the-Moon. He is also convinced that no other than the famous Artists who drew the Red Lion at Brentford, can be equal to the bold figures in the London ‘Prentice, and that the exquisite Colouring in the Piece called Pyramus and Thisbe must be by the same hand as the Hole-in-the-Wall.”
Shortly after this advertisement, the Exhibition was opened. It was held in Bonnell Thornton’s chambers in Bow Street: the hours were from nine till four, admission one shilling. The tickets had a catalogue prefixed to them. The names of the signboard-painters given in this catalogue were those of the journeymen printers in Mr Baldwin’s office, where it was printed. Hagarty alone was a transparent variation on the name of Hogarth, who had largely contributed to the fun and humour of the Exhibition.
The opening of the saloons was the signal for a perfect storm among the newspapers. The artists and their friends were terribly ruffled, and persisted in seeing in it a persifflage of their exhibition just then opened in the Strand. To this animosity, however, we owe all the particulars of the signs exhibited. Catalogues, criticisms, and reviews of the Exhibition were daily brought before the public, giving full details. The most important of them we present to our readers:--
BY PERMISSION.
A CATALOGUE of the Original Paintings, Busts, Carved Figures, &c., &c., &c., Now exhibiting by the Society of Sign-Painters, at the Large Rooms, the Upper End of Bow Street, Covent Garden, nearly opposite the Play-House Passage.
In the Large Passage Room.
[N.B.--That the Merit of the Modern Masters may be fairly examined into, it has been thought proper to place some admired Works of the most eminent Old Masters in this Room, and along the Passage thro’ the Yard.]
No.
1. [Over the Door.] A Coach and Four, Supposed to be by Stanhope.
2. WINDSOR, or any other CASTLE. By Mason. The CENTINEL and GREAT GUN by another Hand.
3. HAND and LOCK OF HAIR. Hand unknown.
4. A PANDOUR, or INDIAN PRINCE, uncertain which. Stanhope’s undoubtedly.
5. A SHIP AND CASTLE. Thomas Knife written under. But it is not known whether this is the name of the Artist or the Publican.
6. A HEN AND CHICKENS. By Lodge.
7. THREE NUNS. The Drapery copied from a Bas-Relief at Rome. By Soames.
8. An original Whole-Length of GUY OF WARWICK. By the same.
9. A MAJOR WIG. By Harrison. [N.B.--The Tails appear to have been added.]
10. A BARGE, in Still-Life. By Van der Trout. [He cannot properly be called an English artist; not being sufficiently encouraged in his own Country, he left Holland with William the Third, and was the first artist who settled in Harp Alley.[723]]
11. The HERCULES PILLARS. The Architecture by Young Soames. THE FIGURE (from the Farnesian Hercules) by the Father.
12. An HEROE’S HEAD, unknown. By Moses White. With the least alteration, may serve for an Heroe past, present, or to come.
13. An original Three Quarters Length of KING CHARLES THE SECOND: a striking Likeness. By Ditto.
In the Passage through the Yard.
1. A FLYING SWAN,--by some supposed to be a Dying one. By Goustry.
2. An HALF-MOON. By Masmore.
3. An Original Half Length of CAMDEN, the great Historian and Antiquary, in his Herald’s Coat. By Van der Trout. [As this Artist was originally Colour Grinder to Hans Holbein, it is conjectured there are some of the great Master’s Touches in this Piece.]
4. A BUTTOCK OF BEEF stuft. By Lynne.
5. An HAIR-CUTTER. By the same.
6. ADAM AND EVE. The first Attempt of that famous Artist, Barnaby Smith.
7. A BLACK PRINCE. By Hitchcock.
8. [Over the Entrance.] An HOLY LAMB; highly finished. By the same.
GRAND ROOM.
[The Society of SIGN-PAINTERS take this Opportunity of refuting a most malicious Suggestion, that their Exhibition is designed as a Ridicule on the Exhibitions of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, &c., and of the Artists. They intend theirs as only an Appendix, or (in the Stile of Painters) a Companion to the others. There is nothing in their Collection, which will be understood by any Candid Person as a Reflection on any Body, or any Body of Men. They are not in the least prompted by any mean Jealousy to depreciate the Merits of their Brother Artists. Animated by the same Public Spirit, their sole View is to convince Foreigners as well as their own blinded Countrymen, that however inferior this Nation may be unjustly deemed in other Branches of the Polite Arts, the Palm for SIGN-PAINTING must be universally ceded to US, the Dutch themselves not excepted.]
1. PORTRAIT of a justly celebrated PAINTER, though an Englishman and a Modern.
2. A CROOKED BILLET, formed exactly in the Line of Beauty,[724] its Companion. These by Adams.
3. The GOOD WOMAN. A Whole Length, but no Portrait. By Sympson. [N.B.--It is done from Invention, not being able to find one to sit for it.]
4. A STAR. By * *
5. The LIGHT HEART. A Sign for a Vintner. By Hogarty. [N.B.--This is an elegant Invention of Ben Jonson, who in The New Inn or Light Heart, makes the Landlord say (speaking of his Sign:)--
_An Heart weighed with a Feather, and outweighed too: A Brain-child of my own and I am proud on’t._]
6. The HOG IN ARMOUR. By Thurmond.
7. A BUTTOCK OF BEEF. By Simmes.
8. The VICAR OF BRAY. The Portrait of a Beneficed Clergyman, at Full Length. By Allison.
9. The IRISH ARMS. By Patrick O’Blaney. [N.B.--Captain Terence O’Cutter STOOD for them.]
10. The GENTLEMAN OF WALES. By David Rice.
11. BUTTER AND EGGS. By Simmes.
12. The SCOTCH FIDDLE. By M^{c}Pharson, done from HIMSELF.
13. The BARKING DOGS. A Landscape at Moonlight. The Moon somewhat eclipsed by an Accident. Whitaker.
14. THREE APOTHECARIES’ GALLIPOTS. D’aeth’s first Attempt.
15. THREE COFFINS. Its Companion. Finished by Shrowd.
16. A MAN. By Hagarty.
17. The RISING SUN. A Landscape. Painted for The Moon, alias THEOPHILUS MOON. By Morris.
18. The MAGPIE. By Whitaker.
19. NOBODY, alias SOMEBODY. A Character.
20. SOMEBODY, alias NOBODY. A Caricature. Its Companion. Both these by Hagarty.
21. The WORLD’S END. By Sympson.
22. The STRUGGLERS. A Conversation. By Ransbey.
23. A FREEMASON’S LODGE, or the Impenetrable Secret. By a Sworn Brother.
24. The BLACKAMOOR. By Sympson. [N.B.--This is not intended as any Reflection on the Gentlemen who have been lately Whitewashed.]
25. A MAN RUNNING AWAY WITH THE MONUMENT. By Whitaker.
26. DEVIL HUGGING THE WITCH. A Conversation. By Ransbey.
27. The SPIRIT OF CONTRADICTION. Ditto. By Hagarty.
28. The LOGGERHEADS. Ditto. By Ditto.
29. The MAN IN THE MOON DRINKS CLARET. By Blackman.
30. The DANCING BEARS. A Sign for N. Dukes, or A. Hart, or any other Dancing-Master to Grown Gentlemen. By Hagarty.
31. MY A---- IN A BANDBOX. By Sympson.
32. A MAN STRUGGLING THROUGH THE WORLD. By the same.
33. ST JOHN’S HEAD in a Charger.
34. A DOG’S HEAD in the Porridge Pot. Its Companion. Both these by Blackman.
35. A MAN IN HIS ELEMENT. A Sign for an Eating House.
36. A MAN OUT OF HIS ELEMENT. A Sign for a Publick House at Wapping, Rotherhithe, or Deptford. Both these by Stainsley.
37. The BARLEY MOW. By Whitaker.
38. A BIRD IN THE HAND. A Landscape. By Allison.
39. ABSALOM HANGING. A Peruke-Maker’s Sign. By Sclater.
40. WELCOME CUCKOLDS TO HORN FAIR. By Hagarty.
41. The CAT O’ NINE TAILS. A Kit-Cat. By Masmore.
42. KING CHARLES IN THE OAK. A Land-schape. By Allison. The Face in Miniature. By Sclater.
43. An OWL IN AN IVY BUSH. Its Companion. By Allison.
44. FOOTE in the Character of Mrs Cole. A Sign for a Boarding-School. By Stainsley.
45. PEEPING-TOM. A Sign for a Shoemaker. By the same.
46.
47. A PAIR OF BREECHES.
48. A GREEN CANISTER. Its Companion. Both these by Blackman.
49. An HA! HA!
50. [On a parallel line with the foregoing on the other side of the chimney.] THE CURIOSITY. Its Companion. [These two by an unknown Hand, the Exhibitors being favoured with them from an unknown Quarter.] ⁂ Ladies and Gentlemen are requested not to finger them, as Blue Curtains are hung on purpose to preserve them.
51. [Over the Chimney.] A STAR of the first Magnitude.
52. The Renowned SEVEN CHAMPIONS OF CHRISTENDOM, from an entire New Design. 1. St George for England. 2. St Andrew for Scotland. 3. St Denis for France. 4. St Anthony for Italy. 5. St James for Spain. 6. St David for Wales. 7. St Patrick for Ireland. This by Bransley.
53. An Original Portrait of the present EMPEROR OF RUSSIA.
54. Ditto of the Empress QUEEN OF HUNGARY. Its Antagonist. These by Sheerman.
55. The SILENT WOMAN, or A GOOD RIDDANCE. A Family Piece. By Barnsley.
56. The GHOST OF COCK LANE. By Miss Fanny ----.[725]
57. THREE PORTRAITS IN ONE.
58. ALL THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE. By Blackman.
59. CAT AND BAGPIPES. By Forster.
60. A perspective view of BILLINGSGATE, or Lectures on Elocution.
61. The ROBIN HOOD SOCIETY, a Conversation; or Lectures on Elocution.[726] Its Companion. These two by Barnsley.
62. AN AUTHOR IN THE PILLORY. By ----, Bookseller. First Attempt.[727]
63. Liberty crowning Britania. By command of his Majesty.
64. View of the ROAD TO PADDINGTON, with a Presentation (sic) of the Deadly Never-Green[728] that bears Fruit all the Year round. The Fruit at full length. By Hagarty.
65. The SALUTATION, or French and English Manners. By Blackman.
66. GOOD COMPANY. A Conversation. Intended as a Sign for a Tobacconist. By Bransley.
67. DEATH AND THE DOCTOR; in Distemper. By Hagarty.
68. HOGS NORTON.[729] A Sign for a Music Shop. By Bransley.
69. ST DUNSTAN AND THE DEVIL.
70. ST SQUINTUM[730] AND THE DEVIL. Its Companion. By ----.
71. SHAVE FOR A PENNY. LET BLOOD FOR NOTHING.
72. TEETH DRAWN WITH A TOUCH. A Caricature. Its Companion. These two by Bransley.
73. A MAN LOADED WITH MISCHIEF. By Sympson.
74. ENTERTAINMENT FOR MAN AND HORSE. A Landscape. By Bransley.
75. FIRST AND LAST. By Blackman.
76. The CONSTITUTION; Alderman Pitt’s Entire. By Hagarty.
BUSTS, CARVED FIGURES, &c., &c., &c.
1. A BLUE BOAR. By Lester.
2. TWO INDIAN KINGS. By Taverner.
3. A FLAMING SWORD of Paradise.
4. ST PETER’S KEY. Both these by Carey.
5. A BUNCH OF GRAPES from Portugal. By Pendred.
6. A DIVIDED CROWN. By Ward.
7. BIRMINGHAM CASE OF KNIVES AND FORKS. [See at the other end of this a SHEFFIELD CASE. Its Companion.] Both these by Asgill.
8. A NAG’S HEAD, after the Manner of the Antient Bronzes. By Millwich.
9. A BLOCK, done from the Life. By Brown.
10. An exact Representation of the famous RUNNING HORSE. Black and All Black.
11. Underneath, an Escutcheon, shewing his Pedigree, as warranted by the Herald’s office. These by Fishbourne.
12. Bust of a celebrated Beauty. By Edley.
13. Head of the THOUGHTLESS PHILOSOPHER. By Masmore.
14. TAKE TIME BY THE FORELOCK. By Clark.
15. A DUMB BELL. By the same.
16. The BRITISH LION, and
17. UNICORN. [The Lion in excellent Condition.] By Jones.
18. A French Fleur-de-Lys [tarnished.] By Garthy.
19. Two Bronzes. By Millwich.
20. A Gold Fish, considerably larger than the Life. By Cook.
21. A MITRE, and
22. CROWN. By Hughes.
23. A DOLPHIN, painted with the true Verd Antique. By Quarterman.
⁂ Several TOBACCO ROLLS, SUGAR LOAVES, HATS, WIGS, STOCKINGS, GLOVES, &c., &c., &c., hung round the Room. By the above-mentioned Artists.
24. [On the Left Hand of the Door, going out.] A Stand of Cheeses, with a Bladder of Lard on the Top.
25. A Westphalian Ham. These two by Bricken.
--St James’s Chronicle, Ap. 20-22. 1762.
The next number of the St James’s Chronicle contained an article on the Exhibition from another journal, written with great animosity:--
“As your paper is always ready to expose any Abuses on the Publick, I beg you will give place to the following Observations:--
“I acknowledge myself to have been one of the Curious who went yesterday morning to see the Grand Exhibition, as it is called, of the Sign-Painters, from which I did not indeed expect any great Entertainment; however, I did not imagine any Set of Gentlemen would have been concerned in a senseless Attempt at Satire, and along with it the most impudent and pickpocket Abuse that I ever knew offered to the Publick.
“The Exhibition is really of Signs, and those, in general, worse executed than any that are to be seen in the meanest streets. The Busts, carved Figures, &c., are of corresponding Excellence, all of them being the very worst of Signpost Work, and such as seem collected for an Insult on the Human understanding.
“But that your Readers may All save their Time, Money, and Credit, by not falling into this Hum-trap, I shall give them an Account of some of the choicest Articles of this Collection as a sample that must damp their Curiosity for seeing the Whole.”
GRAND ROOM.
1. Mr Hogarth, or a wretched Figure done for him drawing his five orders of Periwigs.
2. A CROOKED BILLET, hung under it, on which is written, The Exact Line of Beauty.
3. THE GOOD WOMAN. The old stale Device of a Woman without a Head, badly executed.
5. THE LIGHT HEART. A Feather weighing down a Heart in a pair of Scales.
9. THE IRISH ARMS. A great clumsy pair of Legs.
10. The GENTLEMAN OF WALES. A Taffey with a great Leek in his Hat.
19. NOBODY. A man all Legs.
20. SOMEBODY. A man all Belly, with a Constable’s Staff.
23. A FREEMASON’S LODGE. A new Member blinded and befouling himself.
27. THE SPIRIT OF CONTRADICTION. Two Brewers bearing a cask. The Men going different ways.
30. THE DANCING BEARS. Bears in Men’s cloaths, learning to dance, a great one amongst them, with a gold Chain round his Neck; the Dancing Master a Monkey, holding a Kitten on his Breast with one hand, and pincing its tail with the other.
31. BAND-BOX. An Ass standing in a great Band-box.[731]
32. A MAN STRUGGLING THROUGH THE WORLD. The Sign of a Pasteboard Terrestrial Globe, with a Man creeping through it, his Head being out at one End, and his Heels at the other.
35. A MAN IN HIS ELEMENT. A man gluttonizing.[732]
36. A MAN OUT OF HIS ELEMENT. A Sailor fallen off his Horse.
44. FOOTE in the Character of Mrs Cole. The wit lies in the writing under it, which is, Young Ladies educated here.
45. PEEPING TOM.[733] A Shoemaker trying on a Shoe on a Woman.
BUT THE CREAM OF THE WHOLE JEST IS (49 and 50) two Boards behind two Curtains, (one on each side of the Chimney,) which, when the Curtains are lifted up, show the written Laughs of HA HA HA and HE HE HE.
53 and 54 are two old Signs of a SARACEN’S HEAD and a QUEEN ANNE’S, with their Tongues lolling out at one another, designed to represent the Czar and the Queen of Hungary. Over them is a great wooden Bill, with this inscription, The present State of Europe.
64. A view of the ROAD TO PADDINGTON, with a Representation of the Deadly Never Green that bears Fruit all the year round. This is Tyburn, with three felons hanging on it.
65. The SALUTATION, or French and English Manners, which shows a Frenchman cringingly bowing, and an Englishman taking him by the Nose.
66. GOOD COMPANY. Three Men drunk, and burning one another’s Faces with their Pipes.
69. ST DUNSTAN AND THE DEVIL. The Saint taking the Devil by the Nose with a Pair of Tongs.
70. Its Companion. Doctor Squintum doing the same.
71. SHAVE FOR A PENNY, LET BLOOD FOR NOTHING. A man under the hands of a barber surgeon, who shaves and lets blood at the same time, by cutting at every stroke of his razor.
73. A MAN LOADED WITH MISCHIEF. A Fellow with a Woman, a Monkey, and a Magpie on his Back.
74. ENTERTAINMENT FOR MAN AND HORSE. A Woman and a Hay Mow.
75. FIRST AND LAST. A Cradle and a Coffin.
76. THE CONSTITUTION. Alderman Pitt’s Entire. A tall Grenadier and a short Sailor.
“Such is the Entertainment that these wits have been able to prepare for the curious, with all the assistance of the Virtuosi which they have been long advertising to procure. If there is any Satyre in this Design, it must be in humming their Customers. Wit or taste there is certainly none; but there is a Magnitude of Imposition that is surely deserving of Punishment.
It is well known that the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, are at a great Expense for making their elegant Exhibition, and give their Tickets all away. The Artists, indeed, sell Catalogues there to those who chuse to buy them, and dispose of the Money that is got by them to Charities.
The Body of Artists made their Catalogues Tickets to serve last year for the whole Time of Exhibition in Spring Gardens, and sold them but a shilling a-piece, the Profits of which were likewise distributed in Charities.
The Society, as they call themselves, of Signpainters, or rather of Bites who borrow that Name, have the Assurance to fix a Ticket to each Catalogue, which they sell for their own Profit at a shilling; and, by obliging the Ticket to be torn off at the Second Door, make the Purchase of a New Catalogue absolutely necessary for a Second Admission. It is true most Gentlemen do refuse to let their Catalogues be torn; and many of those who had submitted to the tearing of them, insisted upon their being exchanged for whole ones, resolving, like Men of Spirit, not to be bubbled every Way.
In fine, this Mock Exhibition is a most impudent and scandalous Abuse and Bubble. An Insult on Understanding, and a most pickpocket Imposture. The best entertainment it can afford is that of standing in the street, and observing with how much shame in their Faces People come out of the House. Pity it will be, if all who are employed in the carrying on this Cheat, are not seized and sent to serve the King. And those who are Sharers in the Booty deserve likewise to be severely chastised.
I am, SIR, yours, &c.,
A DESPISER OF ALL TRICKERY.”
“The Signpainters return their Thanks to the author of the above most excellent Letter, which is seemingly abusive of their Design, but is in Fact a most admirable Irony.
The LEDGER of this Morning, after having pillaged the CATALOGUE OF SIGNPAINTING, is candid enough to abuse it. But it is plain that the author has not seen the Exhibition, or could not find out the Humour of it.”
FROM THE GAZETTEER.--(St James’ Chronicle, Ap. 24-27, 1762.)--“The Society of Signpainters, in their Catalogue, tell us they take the opportunity of refuting what they are pleased to call a malicious Suggestion--viz., ‘Their Exhibition being designed as a Ridicule on the Exhibition of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, etc., and the Artists,’ and that they intend theirs only as an Appendix or (in the Style of Painters) ‘Companion’ to the others. What is that but ridiculing, or an attempt towards it? They say ‘there is nothing in their Collection which will be understood by any candid person as a Reflection on any Body or any Body of Men.’ They might have spared this Assertion, for no Person, endued with the least Share of common Sense, can imagine so impotent and futile an Attempt at Satire or Ridicule on any Thing except the few Spectators who go there; which would have been better understood had it opened on the First of April.
“They also say, ‘They are not in the least prompted by any mean jealousy to depreciate the Merits of their Brother Artists.’ Which is owing to their Inability, not want of Assurance; for an Attempt in them to depreciate the Merit of the Professors of Painting and Sculpture, whom they are impudently pleased to call their Brother Artists, would be (to borrow a Simile from one of their own Productions) like Dogs barking at the Moon.
“Their sole View, etc., etc.--‘Their sole View’ (without any Breach of Charity) we may infer is that of filling their own Pockets by duping the Publick; for no private Men would by an Advertisement invite People to their House, and place a Porter at the Door to take a Shilling of them, with a Pretence of being animated by a public Spirit, for any other Motive.
“Bow Street, Covent Garden, April 27.
“The Society of SIGN-PAINTERS are obliged to the GAZETTEER for the above Remarks.”
Articles and letters abusive of the Exhibition appeared in most of the newspapers, and not a day passed but it was attacked in no very measured terms. The committee, however, generally reprinted the articles in their own organ, thanking the critics for so successfully advertising their efforts, after which no more was heard from them. The following review, having very similar annotations upon the signs to those in the letter signed “A Despiser of all Trickery,” may have come from one of their own pens. It appeared in a monthly sheet, entitled, “The London Register,” for April:[734]--
“Humour is confessedly one of the chief characteristics of the English nation. There is no Country that delights in it so much, exerts it on such various occasions, or shows it in so many Shapes. In conversation, in Books, on the Stage, we meet with it every Day; and it has sometimes been introduced, not without success, even into the Pulpit. To an Artist of our own Country, and of our own Times, we owe the Practice of enriching Pictures with Humour, Character, Pleasantry, and Satire. Such an Artist could not fail of Applause in such a Nation as ours, and his Fame is equal to his Merit.
The original Paintings, etc., the Catalogue of which now lies before us, are the Project of a well-known Gentleman, in whose house they are exhibited; a Gentleman who has, in several instances, displayed a most uncommon Vein of Humour. His Burlesque Ode on St Cecilia’s Day,[735] his Labours in the Drury Lane Journal, and other papers, all possess that singular Turn of Imagination so peculiar to himself. This Gentleman is perhaps the only Person in England (if we except the Artist above mentioned) who could have projected, or have carried tolerably into Execution, this scheme of a Grand Exhibition. There is a whimsical drollery in all his Plans, and a Comical Originality in his Manner, that never fail to distinguish and to recommend all his Undertakings. To exercise his Wit and Humour in an innocent Laugh, and to raise that innocent Laugh in others, seems to have been his chief Aim in the present Spectacle. The Ridicule or Exhibition, if it must be accounted so, is pleasant without Malevolence; and the general Strokes on the common Topics of Satire are given with the most apparent Good-humour. . . . . .
On entering the Grand Room, . . . . you find yourself in a large and commodious Apartment, hung round with green Bays, on which this curious collection of Wooden Originals is fixt flat, (like the Signs at present in Paris,) and from whence hang Keys, Bells, Swords, Poles, Sugar-Loaves, Tobacco-Rolls, Candles, and other ornamental Furniture, carved in Wood, that commonly dangle from the Penthouses of the different Shops in our streets. On the Chimney-Board (to imitate the Stile of the Catalogue) is a large, blazing Fire, painted in Water-colours; and within a kind of Cupola, or rather Dome, which lets the Light into the Room, is written in Golden Capitals, upon a blue Ground, a Motto from Horace, disposed in the Form following:--
From this short Description of the Grand-Room, (when we consider the singular Nature of the Paintings themselves, and the Peculiarity of the other Decorations,) it may be easily imagined that no Connoisseur, who has made the Tour of Europe, ever entered a Picture-Gallery that struck his Eye more forcibly at first Sight, or provoked his Attention with more extraordinary Appearance.
We will now, if the Reader pleases, conduct him round the Room, and take a more accurate Survey of the curious Originals before us. To which End we shall proceed to transcribe the ingenious Society’s Catalogue, adding (as we proposed before) such Notes and Illustrations as may seem necessary for his Instruction or Entertainment.
8. The Vicar of Bray: The Portrait of a Beneficed Clergyman, at Full Length. [The vicar of Bray is an Ass in a Feather-topped Grizzle, Band, and Pudding Sleeves.--This is a much droller Conceit, and has more Effect when executed, than the old Design of The Ass loaded with Preferment.]
9. The Irish Arms. By Patrick O’Blaney. [N.B. Captain Terence O’Cutter stood for them.] [A Pair of extremely thick Legs in white Stockings and black Garters.]
12. The Scotch Fiddle. By M^{c}Pharson, done from Himself. [The Figure of a Highlander sitting under a Tree, and enjoying that greatest of Pleasure of scratching where it itches.]
16. A Man. [Nine Taylors at Work; in Allusion to the old Saying of nine Taylors make a Man.]
19. Nobody, alias Somebody. A Character. [The Figure of an Officer, all Head, Arms, Legs and Thighs.--This Piece has a very odd Effect, being so drolly executed that you don’t miss the Body.]
20. Somebody, alias Nobody. A Caricature. Its Companion. Both these by Hagarty. [A rosy figure with a little Head and a huge Body, whose Belly swags over, almost quite down to his Shoe-Buckles. By the Staff in his Hand it appears to be intended to represent a Constable.--It might also have been mistaken for an eminent Justice of Peace.]
22. The Strugglers. A Conversation. By Bransley. [Represents a Man and Wife fighting for the Breeches.]
23. A Free-Mason’s Lodge, or the Impenetrable Secret. By a Sworn Brother. [The supposed Ceremony and probable Consequences of what is called making a Mason, representing the Master of the Lodge with a red hot Salamander in his Hand, and the new Brother blindfold, and in a comical Situation of Fear and Good-Luck.]
25. A Man running away with the Monument. By Whitaker. [This Picture of a London Night, like the Farmer Returned, represents
---- the Watchmen in Town, Lame, feeble, half blind.----
Two of these Cripples are pursuing the Thief, one crying out, Stop Thief! and the other, I can’t catch him.]
27. The Spirit of Contradiction. Ditto. By Hagarty. [Two Brewers with a Barrel of Beer, pulling different Ways.]
28. The Logger Heads. Ditto. By Ditto. [Underwritten, the old Joke of We are Three. Shakespeare plainly alludes to this sign in his Twelfth Night, where the Fool comes between Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and, taking each by the Hand, says, “How now, my Hearts, did you never see the Picture of We Three?”]
30. The Dancing Bears. By Hagarty. [Most drolly conceived and comically executed.--Represents Four Bears on their hind Legs, drest in different Characters, one with a gold Chain round his Neck, giving Right Paw and Left, gravely practising Country-Dances, under the Tuition of a Monkey, drest like a Dancing-Master, and fiddling on a KIT-ten.--The Seriousness and Solemnity of each of these Figures is incomparable. Underneath is written, “Grown Gentlemen taught to Dance.”]
31. Band Box. By Sympson. [Hieroglyphically expressed . . . . an Ass standing in a Bandbox.]
33. St John’s Head in a Charger. [The dead Saint’s Eyes, like those in most Portraits, seem to be looking at you.]
35. A Man in his Element. A Sign for an Eating-House. [A Cook roasted upon a Spit at the Kitchen-Fire and basted by the Devil.]
36. A Man out of his Element. [A Sailor fallen off his Horse, with his Skull lighting against the ten mile Stone from Portsmouth.]
38. A Bird in the Hand, a Landscape. By Allison. [A common sign in various Parts of England, which has usually this Inscription,
A Bird in Hand is better far Than two that in the Bushes are.
But these Lines are much improved in the Inscription that is under this Sign in the Exhibition:
A Bird in Hand far better ’tis Than two that in the Bushes is.]
39. Absalon Hanging, a Peruke Maker’s Sign. By Sclater. [Underneath is written--
If Absalon had not worn his own Hair Absalon had not been hanging there.]
40. Welcome Cuckholds to Horn-Fair. By Hagarty. [Whimsically imagined, and drolly executed--Being a Picture of Horn-Fair containing various Figures of Cuckholds in different Characters; some with large staring Bulls’, Goats’-Horns, &c., others with their Horns just budding. The center Figure is that of a fine Gentleman (copied from the fine Gentleman in Lethe) with Rams’-Horns. On a Bank, fast asleep, sits a Citizen-like Figure, with large branching antlers, and on the other side of the Picture, is a jemmy Figure in Boots, who has no Horns upon his Head, but carries them in his Pocket, out of which the tops appear tipt with Gold. This last Gentleman’s Horse (to make the Picture complete) is also represented as a Cuckhold, having a Horn in his Forehead like an Unicorn’s.]
49. An Ha! Ha!
50 [On a parallel Line with the foregoing on the other Side of the Chimney] The Curiosity, its Companion. [These two by an unknown Hand, the Exhibitors being favoured with them from an unknown Quarter.] ⁂ Ladies and Gentlemen are requested not to finger them, as blue Curtains are hung over in purpose to preserve them. [Behind the blue Curtains on one of these Boards is written Ha! Ha! Ha! and on the other He! He! He! At the first opening of the Exhibition the Ladies had infinite Curiosity to know what was behind the Curtain, but were afraid to gratify it. This covered Laugh is no bad satire on the indecent Pictures in some Collections, hung up in the same Manner with Curtains over them.]
52. [Over the Chimney] The Renowned Seven Champions of Christendom, from an entire New Design. [A Capital Piece. The Seven Champions are represented in the following Manner. 1. St George is an English Sailor mounted on a Lion, with a Spit (by Way of Lance) bearing a Sirloin of Beef in one Hand, and a full Pot of Porter marked only Three Pence a QUART in the other. By the Lion’s Foot are two Scrolls, like Ballads, the one inscribed O the Roast Beef of Old England: the other, Hearts of Oak are our Men. 2. St Andrew is a Highlander mounted on a Scotch Galloway, with a Broad Sword, bearing an Oat Cake at the End of it in one Hand, and a Flask of Whisky in the other. 3. St Dennis is a Frenchman, mounted on a Deer, a timorous swift-footed Animal with a small Sword in one Hand on which a Frog appears to be spitted, and a Dish of Soupe Maigre in the other. 4. St Anthony is the Pope, mounted on a Bull, with a Crosier and a Vessel of Holy Water dangling from it, in one Hand, and a Cod-Fish inscribed Food for Lent in the other. From his Right Foot hangs a Scroll inscribed Kiss my Toe, and on the Ground several Rolls of Paper, on which are written, Pardons, Indulgencies, &c. &c. 5. St James is a Spaniard mounted on a Mule with an Ingot of Gold in one Hand and a Padlock in the other. 6. St David is Taffy mounted on a Goat brandishing a Leek in one Hand, and bearing a Cheese, by Way of Target, in the other. 7. St Patrick is an Irish Soldier, mounted on a large Stone-Horse, at whose Feet is a kind of Bill with this Inscription--To cover this Season Black and All Black. He has a Sword, bearing a Potatoe on the End of it in one Hand, and a three-square Bottle, inscribed Green Usquebaugh in the other.]
53. An original Portrait of the present Emperor of Russia.
54. Ditto of the Empress Queen of Hungary, its Antagonist. [These are two old signs of the Saracen’s Head and Queen Anne. Under the first is written THE ZARR, and under the other the EMPRES QUEAN. They are lolling their tongues out at each other, and over their heads runs a wooden label, inscribed, The present State of Europe.]
56. The Ghost of Cock Lane. By Miss Fanny ----. [The figure of two hands, one bearing a hammer, the other a curry-comb, in allusion to knocking and scratching.]
58. All the World and his Wife. By Blackman. [The figure of a foolish-looking fellow, with the globe round his body, (like Orbis in the Rehearsal,) and his wife cudgelling him.]
60. A Prospective View of Billingsgate, or Lectures on Elocution.
61. The Robin Hood Society, a Conversation; or Lectures on Elocution. Its Companion. These two by Barnsley. [These two Strokes at a famous Lecturer on Elocution,[736] and The Reverend Projector of a Rhetorical Academy, are admirably conceived and executed: and (the latter more especially) almost worthy the Hand of Hogarth. They are full of a Variety of droll Figures, and seem indeed to be the Work of a great Master, struggling to suppress his Superiority of Genius, and endeavouring to paint down to the common Stile and Manner of the School of Sign-painting.]
64. View of the Road to Paddington, with a Presentation of the Deadly-Never-Green, that bears Fruit all the year round. The Fruit at full Length. By Hagarty. [Tyburn with three Felons on the Gallows. This Piece is remarkable for the Execution.]
65. The Salutation, or French and English Manners. By Blackman. [An English Jack Tar, kicking, and taking a tawdry Mounseer, cringing and bowing, by the Nose.]
66. Good Company. A Conversation. Intended as a Sign for a Tobacconist. By Bransley. [The Conceit and Execution are admirable. It represents a Common-Council-Man, and two Friends, drunk, over a Bottle and a Pipe. The Common-Council-Man is fallen back on his Chair as asleep. One of the Friends, an officer, is lighting a Pipe at his red Nose, while the other, a Doctor, is using his Thumb for a Tobacco Stopper.]
68. Hogs-Norton. A Sign for a Musick-Shop. By Bransley. [Represents (in allusion to the old saying concerning Hog’s Norton) an Hog drest in a Laced Suit, and an enormous Tye Wig, playing upon the Organ.]
69. St Dunstan and the Devil. [The Saint Taking the Devil by the Nose.]
70. St Squintum and the Devil, its Companion. By ----. [Dr W----d doing the same. The Portrait is not unlike the Doctor.[737]]
71. Shave for a Penny, Let Blood for Nothing. [A Man under the Hands of a Barber-Surgeon, who shaves and lets Blood at the same Time, by cutting at every Stroke of his Razor.]
72. Teeth Drawn with a Touch. A Caricature. Its Companion. [A Man in much the same circumstances, mutatis mutandis, under the Hands of a Tooth-Drawer.]
“Such,” says the London Register, “are the Original Paintings in the Society’s Collection.” It may be remarked that there is some humour in placing many of the signs, which of themselves would not be very striking: for instance, THE THREE APOTHECARIES’ GALLIPOTS, with THE THREE COFFINS as its companion; KING CHARLES IN THE OAK, and by its side THE OWL IN THE IVY BUSH. Some of the signs are very indelicate, but this objection does not appear amongst the many charges brought against Mr Thornton and his friends. The opinion of society upon this point was very different in the last century from what it is now.
Besides the official catalogue there also appears to have been a comic or satirical guide, for the newspapers of the day advertise--
This Day was published, Price 6d.,
HA! HA! HA! Or the Laugher’s Companion to the GRAND EXHIBITION of the SIGN PAINTERS. Also He! He! He! Or the Artist’s Guide to the Society’s Exhibition.
Printed for W. Nicholl, at the Papermill, in St Paul’s Churchyard.
We shall close this subject with a paper in favour of the much abused exhibition, a weak, but well meant, effusion in doggerel rhyme:--
To the PRINTER of THE ST JAMES’S CHRONICLE.
SIR,
As the Sign Painters in this Catalogue have directed any Essays on their Exhibition to be sent to you, I have troubled you with the enclosed Trifle, by inserting which in your Chronicle, you will oblige
Your humble Servant
And constant Reader
A FRIEND TO THE SIGN PAINTERS.
Addressed to the Gentlemen of the Society of SIGN PAINTERS.
Though Malice darts around malignant Rays And pow’rful Envy all its Spleen displays: Go on, great Chiefs, pursue your noble Play, And nobly end, what nobly you began. Spite of Detraction shall your Mirth rise With odorif’rous Flavour to the Skies, And Masmore’s, Lester’s, Ward’s, and Fishbourne’s Name, With thine, Van Dyke, shall live to endless Fame; For your Collection Wit and Skill combine, And Humour flows in ev’ry well chose Sign; To you the Palm, th’ admiring World must give, To you the Honour ev’ry Artist leave. Regard not they the little-minded’s Rage, Nor dread the snarling Critic’s angry Page; For conscious Worth shall be your safest Guard, And Immortality your sure Reward.
April 27-29, 1762. E. N.
[723] In Farringdon Street; the head-quarters of the London Sign-Painters.
[724] In allusion to a well-known art-theory of Hogarth’s.
[725] Fanny Parsons was the girl who played such an active part in the Cock Lane ghost performances, Jan. and Feb. 1762.
[726] A famous discussion club held at the Robin Hood Tavern, Essex Street, Strand.
[727] Evidently an allusion to Edmund Curll, the notorious bookseller, who stood in the Pillory at Cheapside.
[728] The gallows at Tyburn.
[729] A corruption of Hook-Norton, the name of a small village in Oxfordshire, where the hogs formerly played upon the church organ. So, at least, the story runs.
[730] “St Squintum” was probably intended for John Whitfield, the famous preacher, whose personal appearance was the subject of numerous lampoons and caricatures at this time.
[731] This seemed to be a sort of slang phrase equivalent to the present--“It’s all my eye;” it occurs in “Tom Brown,” vol. ii., p. 13, 1708. See also p. 467 of this work.
[732] 35. From another source we learn that this was very different:--“No. 35. A Man in his Element, a sign for an Eating-house,”--a cook roasted on a spit at a kitchen fire, and basted by the devil.
[733] In allusion to Peeping Tom, the shoemaker of Coventry.
[734] Under the title of--“PARTICULAR ACCOUNT of the GRAND EXHIBITION in Bow Street, with Remarks and Illustrations of it.”
[735] Bonnell Thornton composed an ode on St Cecilia’s Day, which was set to music by Dr Burney, and performed by the aid of those national instruments, the marrow bones and cleavers. The affair came off at Ranelagh, and gave general satisfaction. In a former chapter we have given full particulars of this event. Thornton was born in London 1724, educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford. In connection with Geo. Colman the elder he started the Connoisseur, the St James’ Chronicle, and other periodicals. He died May 9, 1768, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
[736] Orator Henley is doubtless intended.
[737] The celebrated preacher, George Whitfield, who was chaplain to Selina, Countess of Huntingdon.
INDEX.
A. B. C., 476. Abel Drugger, 85. Abercrombie, Sir Ralph, 58. Abraham Offering his Son, 259. Absalom, 263. Acorn, 246. Adam’s Arms, 136. Adam and Eve, 257, 258. Addison’s Head, 68. African Chief, 432. Air-Balloon, 486. Airesdale Heifer, 190. Albemarle, Duke of, 59. Albion, 329. Ale-stakes, 6. Ale-pole, 233. Alfred’s Head, 45. Almond Tree, 245. Anchor, 332. Anchor and Castle, 333. Anchor and Can, 333. Anchor and Shuttle, 333. Ancient Briton, 415. Andrew Marvel, 63. Angel, 266, 267, 268. Angel and Bible, 270. Angel and Crown, 270. Angel and Gloves, 271. Angel and Still, 271. Angel and Stilliards, 271. Angel and Sun, 272. Angel and Woolpack, 272. Angel on the Hoop, 504. Angler, 361. Annunciation, 279. Anodyne Necklace, 405. Antelope, 110. Antigallican, 485. Antigallican Arms, 136, 485. Antwerp, 425. Anvil, 346. Anvil and Blacksmith, 346. Anvil and Hammer, 346. Ape, 161. Ape and Bagpipes, 438. Apollo, 69. Apple-tree, 239. Apple-tree and Mitre, 239. Arabian Horse, 175. Archimedes, 62. Arethusa, 329. Arrow, 326. Artichoke, 250. Ash-tree, 246. Ass in the Bandbox, 467. Atlas, 71. Auld Lang Syne, 81. Australian, 436. Ave Maria, 280. Axe, 346. Axe and Cleaver, 346. Axe and Compasses, 346. Axe and Saw, 346. Axe and Tun, 475.
Babes in the Wood, 76. Bacchus, 69. Bag o’ Nails, 347. Baker and Basket, 348. Baker and Brewer, 348. Balaam’s Ass, 261. Balcony, 375. Bald Face, 165. Bald Hind, 164. Bald-faced Stag, 164. Ball, 482. Ball and Cap, 483. Ball and Raven, 483. Balloon, 355, 486. Barrel, 349. Bang Up, 355. Bank of Friendship, 434. Banner, 322. Baptist Head, 273. Barber’s Pole, 341. Barber’s signs, 344, 345. Barley Broth, 384. Barleycorn, Sir John, 79. Barley Mow, 244, 327. Barley-Stack, 244. Bat and Ball, 484. Battered Naggin, 468. Battle of the Nile, 61. Battle of Pyramids, 61. Battle of Waterloo, 61. Bay Childers, 175. Bay Horse, 171. Beadle, 336. Beagle, 194. Bear, 152, 153, 154. Bear and Bacchus, 155. Bear and Harrow, 155. Bear and Ragged Staff, 136. Bear and Rummer, 155. Bear’s Paw, 144. Bear’s Head, 155. Bedford Head, 99. Beech-tree, 246. Beef Steaks, 378. Beehive, 231, 472. Bee’s Wing, 384. Bel and Dragon, 256. Bell, 473, 477, 478, 479. Bell and Anchor, 480. Bell and Black Horse, 174. Bell and Bullock, 480. Bell and Candlestick, 480. Bell and Crown, 480. Bell and Cuckoo, 480. Bell and Horse, 174. Bell and Lion, 480. Bell and Mackerel, 230. Bell and Talbot, 165. Bell in the Thorn, 475. Bell Savage, 480, 481. Benbow, Admiral, 57. Bess of Bedlam, 370. Bible, 253. Bible and Ball, 256, 483. Bible and Crown, 103. Bible, Crown, and Constitution, 254. Bible and Dial, 256. Bible and Dove, 255. Bible and Harp, 473. Bible and Key, 285. Bible and Lamb, 255. Bible and Peacock, 255. Bible and Sun, 256. Bible and Three Crowns, 127. Bible, Sceptre, and Crown, 255. Birch-tree, 246. Bird and Bantling, 138. Birdbolt, 361. Bird in the Bush, 449. Bird in Hand, 446, 447, 448, 449. Bishop Blaize, 283. Bishop Blaize and Two Sawyers, 252. Bishop of Canterbury, 64. Bishop’s Head, 315. Blackamoor’s Head, 485. Black Ball and Lillyhead, 64. Black Bell, 479. Blackbird, 202. Black Boy, 432. Black Boy and Camel, 433. Black Boy and Cat, 105. Black Boy and Comb, 433. Black Bull and Looking-Glass, 187. Black Cock, 209. Black Crow, 203. Black Dog, 193. Black Dog and Still, 483. Black Doll, 486. Black Girl, 433. Black Friar, 319. Black Goat, 192. Black Greyhound, 195. Black Jack, 384, 385, 386. Black Lion, 120. Blackmoor’s Head and Woolpack, 347. Black Posts, 373. Black Prince, 46. Black Ram, 190. Black Spread Eagle, 139. Black Swan, 215, 216, 473. Blaize, Bishop, 283. Bleeding Heart, 300. Bleeding Horse, 175. Bleeding Wolf, 143. Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green, 73. Blink Bonny, 175. Block, 363. Blossom’s Inn, 297. Blue Anchor, 333. Blue Anchor and Ball, 333. Blue and Gilt Balcony, 376. Blue Balls, 483. Blue Bible, 253. Blue Boar, 116, 288. Blue Bowl, 395. Blue Boy, 510. Blue Bull, 195. Blue-coat Boy, 509. Blue Cock, 209. Blue Cow, 195. Blue Dog, 194, 195. Blue Flower Pot, 377. Blue Fox, 195. Blue Garland, 236. Blue Greyhound, 195. Blue Helmet, 326. Blue Horse, 170. Blue Lion, 146. Blue Man, 195. Blue Peruke and Star, 404. Blue Pig, 116, 195. Blue Posts, 373. Blue Pump, 397. Blue Ram, 195. Blue Stoops, 406. Board, 377. Boar’s Head, 378, 379, 380. Boat, 334. Boatswain, 332. Boatswain’s Call, 332. Bœuf à la Mode, 475. Bolt in Tun, 471. Bombay Grab, 328. Bonny Cravat, 406. Book in Hand, 446. Booksellers’ Signs, 6, 7. Boot, 409. Boot and Slipper, 409. Bosom’s Inn, 297, 298. Bottle, 387. Bottle and Glass, 387. Bowman, 363. Bowls and Candle-poles, 362. Boy and Barrel, 349. Boy and Cap, 349. Brace, 473. Brandy Cask, 349. Brass Knocker, 376. Brawn’s Head, 381. Brazen Serpent, 7, 261. Breeches and Glove, 409. Britannia, 415. British Oak, 246. Brood Hen, 178. Broughton, 87. Brown Bear, 152. Brown Bill, 336. Brown Cow, 190. Brown Jug, 387. Brown Lion, 150. Brunswick, The, 50. Buchanan Head, 63. Buck, 471. Buck and Bell, 165. Bucket, 397. Buck in the Park, 127. Buckthorn Tree, 246. Buffalo Head, 186. Bugle, 188. Bugle Horn, 340. Bull, 182, 183. Bull and Bedpost, 187. Bull and Bell, 165. Bull and Bitch, 187. Bull and Butcher, 187. Bull and Chain, 182. Bull and Dog, 187. Bull and Gate, 62. Bull and Garter, 252. Bull’s Head, 185. Bull Inn, 92. Bull and Magpie, 187. Bull and Mouth, 61. Bull and Oak, 188. Bull and Stirrup, 116. Bull and Swan, 188. Bull and Three Calves, 177. Bullen Butchered, 47. Bull in the Oak, 188. Bull in the Pound, 188. Bull’s Neck, 186. Bumper, 390. Bunch of Carrots, 243. Bunch of Grapes, 243. Bunch of Roses, 236. Burdett, Sir Francis, 63. Burnt Tree, 246. Bush, 3, 4, note, 233, 234. Bushel, 347. Butler’s Head, 63. Butt and Oyster, 381.
Cabbage, 251. Cabbage Hall, 251. Cabinet, 393. Cæsar’s Head, 45. Camden Arms, 68. Camden Head, 68. Camden House, 416. Camel, 162. Camel’s Head, 162. Canary House, 384. Cannon Ball, 327. Canute Castle, 45. Cap and Stocking, 402. Cape of Good Hope, 422. Cardinal’s Hat or Cap, 315. Case is Altered, 460. Castle, 130, 417, 487. Castle and Banner, 488. Castle and Falcon, 487. Castle and Wheelbarrow, 488. Castles in the Air, 488. Castor and Pollux, 70. Cat, 197. Cat and Bagpipes, 438. Cat and Cage, 198. Cat and Fiddle, 438. Cat and Kittens, 177. Cat and Lion, 198. Cat and Parrot, 198. Cat and Wheel, 299. Caterpillar Hall, 251. Catherine Wheel, 298, 357. Cat in the Basket, 198. Centurion’s Lion, 151. Chaffcutter’s Arms, 352. Chained Bull, 182. Chaise and Pair, 176. Chapel Bell, 321. Charing Cross, 416. Charles the First’s Head, 48. Charles the Second’s Head, 49. Charter about signs granted by Charles I., 10. Chase, 361. Chelsea Waterworks, 416. Chequers, 488. Cherry Garden, 240. Cherry Tree, 240, 472. Cheshire Cheese, 383. Chestnut, 246. Child-Coat, 407. Chiltern Hundred, 418. China Hall, 435. Church, 321. Church Gates, 321. Church Stile, 321. Cinder Oven, 346. Circe, 329. Civet, 162. Cleaver, 358. Clog, 410. Clown, 85. Coach and Horses, 355, 356. Coach and Dogs, 357. Coble, 334. Cock, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209. Cock and Anchor, 212. Cock and Bear, 212. Cock and Bell, 211. Cock and Blackbird, 202. Cock and Bottle, 207, 211. Cock and Breeches, 212. Cock and Bull, 212. Cock and Crown, 212. Cock and Dolphin, 212. Cock and House, 212. Cock and Key, 471. Cock and Lion, 151. Cock and Magpie, 382. Cock and Pie, 382. Cock and Pynot, 383. Cock and Trumpet, 211. Cock and Swan, 212. Cockatrice, 161. Cock in Boots, 442. Cocoa Tree, 248. Cock on the Hoop, 504. Cock’s Head, 209. Coffee-house, 249. Coffee-pot, 394. Colt and Cradle, 445. Complete Angler, 80. Comus, 70. Copper Pot, 396. Corner Pin, 505. Cottage of Content, 434. Cotton Breeches, 409. Cotton-tree, 248. Coventry Cross, 418. Cow and Calf, 177. Cow and Hare, 449. Cow and Snuffers, 444. Cow and Two Calves, 177. Cow in Boots, 442. Cow Roast, 378. Cow’s Face, 186. Crab and Lobster, 381. Crab-tree, 247. Cradle, 130, 393. Cradle and Coffin, 464. Craven Arms, 59. Craven Head, 59. Craven Heifer, 190. Craven Ox, 188. Craven Ox Head, 188. Crawfish, 381. Crescent and Anchor, 500. Cricketers, 39. Cricketers’ Arms, 484. Cripples’ Inn, 468. Crispin and Crispian, 281. Crocodile, 162. Cromwell, 46. Cromwell, Oliver, 121. Crook and Shears, 353. Crooked Billet, 489. Cross, 275, 276. Cross Axes, 346. Cross Bullets, 327. Cross Foxes, 142. Cross Guns, 322. Cross Hands, 493. Cross in Hand, 493. Cross Keys, 131. Cross Keys and Bible, 131. Cross Lances, 322. Cross o’ the Hands, 493. Cross Pistols, 322. Cross Scythes, 353. Cross Swords, 322. Crow in the Oak, 203. Crown, 101, 239, 258. Crown and Anchor, 103. Crown and Can, 106. Crown and Column, 103. Crown and Cushion, 102. Crown and Dove, 105. Crown and Fan, 105. Crown and Glove, 102. Crown and Halbert, 106. Crown and Harp, 126. Crown and Leek, 126. Crown and Last, 105. Crown and Mitre, 103. Crown and Punchbowl, 388. Crown and Rasp, 105. Crown and Rolls, 337. Crown and Sceptre, 103. Crown and Tower, 103. Crown and Trumpet, 106. Crown and Woolpack, 103. Crown and Woodpecker, 103. Crowned Q, 476. Crowned Fan, 412. Crown of Thorns, 275. Crown on the Hoop, 504. Crow’s Nest, 178. Cumberland, Duke of, 54. Czar’s Head, 52.
Dagger, 325. Dairymaid, 353. Daisy, 238. Dancing Dogs, 444. Dancing Goat, 439. Dandie Dinmont, 81. Dapple Grey, 171. Darby and Joan, 79. David and Harp, 263. Davy Lamp, 346. Defiance, 355. Denmark House, 436, 437. Devil, 291, 294, 295. Devil and Bag of Nails, 347. Devil and St Dunstan, 291, 292, 293. Devil in a Tub, 460. Devil’s Head, 295. Dick Tarleton, 83. Digby, Captain, 99. Dirty Dick, 90. Dr Johnson’s Head, 68. Doctor Syntax, 81. Dog, 192. Dog and Bacon, 378. Dog and Badger, 197. Dog and Bear, 196. Dog and Crock, 444. Dog and Duck, 196, 197. Dog and Gun, 197. Dog and Hedgehog, 162. Dog and Partridge, 197. Dog and Pheasant, 197. Dog and Punchbowl, 388. Dog in Doublet, 443. Dog’s Head in the Pot, 443, 444. Dolphin, 227, 228. Dolphin & Anchor, 228, 229. Dolphin and Bell, 165. Dolphin and Comb, 229. Dolphin and Crown, 129. Don Cossack, 99. Don John, 68. Don Juan, 68. Don Saltero, 93, 94. Donkey Playing on Hurdy Gurdy, 439. Doublet, 407. Dove, 219. Dove and Rainbow, 259. Dovecote, 219. Dover Castle, 417. Dragon, 111, 158. Drake, 218. Drake, Admiral, 56. Dray and Horses, 349. Drovers’ Arms, 136. Drover’s Call, 355. Druid and Oak, 100. Druid’s Head, 99. Drum and Trumpet, 323. Dryden’s Head, 67. Duck and Mallard, 218. Duke’s Head, 59. Dunciad, 67. Dun Cow, 74. Durham Heifer, 190. Durham Ox, 188. Dust Pan, 397. Dusty Miller, 348. Dwarf, 89.
Eagle, 199. Eagle and Ball, 199. Eagle and Child, 138. Eagle and Serpent, 198. Eagle’s Foot, 139. Early Christian signs, 3, 4. East India House, 415. Edinburgh Castle, 418. Eight Bells, 478. Eight Ringers, 478. Elephant and Castle, 155, 156. Elephant and Fish, 156. Elephant and Friar, 156. Elisha’s Raven, 264. Elliott, General, 58. Elm, 246. Elysium, 73. England, Scotland, and Ireland, 415. English Arms, 129. Essex Arms, 60. Essex, Earl of, 60. Essex Head, 60. Essex Serpent, 80. Exchange, 415. Exmouth, Lord, 57. Experienced Fowler, 361. Express, 355. Ewe and Lamb, 177.
Falcon, 219. Falcon on the Hoop, 220, 504. Falcon and Horseshoe, 115. Falstaff, Sir John, 67, 86. Fan, 412. Farmer’s Arms, 136, 352. Father Redcap, 96. Feathers, 122. Ferguson, James, 63. Fiddler’s Arms, 83. Fifteen Balls, 127. Fighting Cocks, 210, 252. Fig-tree, 245. Filho, 175. Filho da Puta, 175. Finish, 511. Fire-beacon, 117. First and Last, 436, 464. Fir-tree, 246. Fish, 230. Fish and Anchor, 228. Fish and Bell, 165, 230. Fish and Dolphin, 230. Fish and Eels, 231. Fish and Kettle, 231. Fish and Quart, 231. Fishbone, 231. Fishing Cat, 439. Fishing Smack, 334. Five Bells, 331, 478. Five Clogs, 410. Five Cricketers, 484. Five Inkhorns, 337. Flaming Sword, 258. Flank of Beef, 378. Flask, 387. Fleece, 58. Flitch of Dunmow, 420. Flower de Luce, 128. Flower Pot, 376. Flowers of the Forest, 81. Flying Bull, 73. Flying Childers, 175. Flying Dutchman, 175. Flying Fox, 170. Flying Horse, 72, 365. Flying Monkey, 444. Foaming Quart, 387. Foaming Tankard, 349. Folly, 509. Fool, 339. Forest Blue Bell, 238. Fortune, 73. Foul Anchor, 333. Fountain, 471, 494, 495. Fountain and Bear, 496. Fountain of Juvenca, 461. (Four) 4, 477. Four Alls, 451, 452. Four Bells, 478. Four Coffins, 371. Fourteen Stars, 500. Fox, 168, 472. Fox and Bull, 169. Fox and Cap, 170. Fox and Crane, 169. Fox and Crown, 170, 354. Fox and Duck, 169. Fox and Goose, 168. Fox and Grapes, 169. Fox and Hen, 169. Fox and Hounds, 169. Fox and Knot, 170. Fox and Lamb, 169. Fox and Owl, 169. Fox and Punchbowl, 388. Fox’s Tail, 170. French Arms, 128. French Horn, 339. French Horn and Half Moon, 339. French Horn and Queen’s Head, 339. French Horn and Rose, 339. French Horn and Violin, 338. French signs, 8, 11, 16, 17, 28, 35, 36, 37, 41, 279, 280. Frighted Horse, 175. Froghall, 232. Frying Pan, 396. Full Measure, 349. Full Moon, 500. Full Ship, 330.
Galloping Horse, 173. Gander, 472. Gaper, 467. Gaping Goose, 444. Garden House, 373. Garrick’s Head, 85. Garter, 410, 411. Gelding, 176. General’s Arms, 136. Geneva Arms, 130. Generous Briton, 415. Gentle Shepherd of Salisbury Plain, 419. George, 287, 288. George and Blue Boar, 288. George and Dragon, 40. George and Thirteen Cantons, 289. George and Vulture, 289. George on the Hoop, 504. Gibraltar, 61, 422. Gipsy Queen, 508. Gipsy Tent, 508. Globe, 414. Globe and Compasses, 147. Glorious Apollo, 69. Glove, 411. Goat, 192. Goat and Kid, 177. Goat in Armour, 440. Goat in Boots, 440, 441. Godfrey, Sir Edmund, 64. God’s Head, 279. Golden Angel, 269. Golden Ball, 482. Golden Beard, 405. Golden Bell, 479. Golden Bottle, 386. Golden Buck, 165. Golden Candlestick, 394. Golden Can, 386. Golden Cross, 276. Golden Crotchet, 339. Golden Cup, 149. Golden Eagle, 198. Golden Farmer, 352. Golden Field Gate, 62. Golden Fleece, 72. Golden Frog, 232. Golden Fryingpan, 396. Golden Globe, 415. Golden Griffin, 145. Golden Head, 490. Golden Heart, 300, 473. Golden Jar, 397. Golden Key, 398. Golden Key and Bible, 255. Golden Lion, 146, 201, 327. Golden Maid, 364. Golden Measure, 349. Golden Quoit, 505. Golden Ring, 412. Golden Slipper, 409. Golden Sun, 498. Golden Tiger, 152. Golden Tun, 474. Goliah, or Golias, 262. Goliah Head, 262. Good Samaritan, 274. Good Woman, 454, 455. Goose and Gridiron, 239, 445. Goose and Gridiron, 316. Gospel Oak, 278. Grafton’s Head, Duke of, 386. Granby, Marquis of, 55, 58. Grand A., 476. Grand B., 476. Grasshopper, 140. Grave Maurice, 53. Gray Ass, 221. Grazier’s Arms, 352. Great Mogol, 51. Great Turk, 429. Grecian, 429. Greek Signs, 1. Green Bellows, 394. Green Dragon, 111. Green Lattice, 375. Green Lettuce, 375. Green Man, 366, 367, 368, 449. Green Man and Ball, 483. Green Man and Still, 148. Green Monkey, 444. Green Monster, 507. Green Pales, 373. Green Parrot, 222. Green Posts, 472. Green Seedling, 246. Green Tree, 245. Gresham, Thomas, 63. Gretna Green, 422. Grey Goat, 192. Greyhound, 194. Grey Mare, 177. Grey Ox, 188. Gridiron, 396. Griffin, 145. Griffin’s Arms, 136. Grinding Young, 461. Grinning Jackanapes, 440. Grouse and Moorcock, 223. Grouse and Trout, 223. Guardian Angel, 269. Guilded Cup, 387. Gun, or Cannon, 117. Guy of Warwick, 74.
Halbert and Crown, 327. Half Eagle and Key, 130. Half-Moon, 327, 500. Half-Moon and Punchbowl, 388. Half-Moon and Seven Stars, 500. Hailstone, 502. Ham, 381. Ham and Firkin, 381. Hammer, 347. Hammer and Crown, 149. Hand, 492. Hand and Apple, 239. Hand and Ball, 492. Hand and Bible, 299. Hand and Cork, 471. Hand and Ear, 492. Hand and Face, 492. Hand and Flower, 235. Hand and Heart, 493. Hand and Hollybush, 250. Hand and Pen, 337. Hand and Scales, 362. Hand and Shears, 350. Hand and Slipper, 409. Hand and Tench, 493. Hand and Tennis, 493. Handel’s Head, 83. Handgun, 326. Hand in Hand, 493. Hare, 163. Hare and Cats, 164. Hare and Hounds, 163, 164. Hare and Squirrel, 163. Hark the Lasher, 361. Hark to Bounty, 361. Hark up to Glory, 361. Hark up to Nudger, 361. Harlequin, 365. Harmer, Captain, 99. Harp, 340, 473. Harp and Hautboy, 338. Harrow, 351. Harrow and Doublet, 407. Hart on the Hoop, 504. Harvest Home, 354. Hat, 399. Hat and Beaver, 191, 400. Hat and Feathers, 400. Hat and Star, 402, 492. Hat and Tun, 473. Hautboy and Two Flutes, 338. Have at It, 209, 210. Hawk and Buck, 115. Hawk and Buckle, 115. Hawthorn, 117. Haycock, 420. Haylift, 502. Heart and Ball, 300, 483. Heart and Trumpet, 505. Heart in Bible, 299. Heart in Hand, 493. Hearts of Oak, 246. Hearty Good Fellow, 82. Heathfield, Lord, 58. Heaven, 300. Hedgehog, 162. Hell, 301. Helmet, 326. Help me thro’ this World, 450. Hen and Chickens, 178. Hen on the Hoop, 504. Hercules, 70. Hercules’ Pillars, 70. Hereford Castle, 418. Hero of Switzerland, 100. Highland Laddie, 421. Hill, 471. Hind, 472. Hippopotamus, 162. Hit or Miss, 451. Hob in the Well, 79. Hobnails, 347. Hobson’s Inn, 92. Hog in Armour, 440. Hog in the Pound, 192. Hole in the Wall, 502, 503. Hogarth’s Head, 82. Holland Arms, 172. Hollybush, 250. Homer’s Head, 65. Honest Lawyer, 456. Hood and Scarf, 406. Hoop, 504. Hoop and Bunch of Grapes, 252, 504. Hoop and Griffin, 505. Hoop and Horseshoe, 180. Hoop and Toy, 505. Hop and Barleycorn, 244. Hopbine, 244. Hope and Anchor, 73, 333. Hop-pole, 244. Horace’s Head, 65. Horn, 340. Horn and Three Tuns, 339. Horns, 166, 167, 168, 473. Horns and Horseshoe, 180. Horse, 170, 171. Horse and Chaise, 176. Horse and Dorsiter, 175. Horse and Farrier, 175. Horse and Gate, 176. Horse and Groom, 173. Horse’s Head, 176. Horse and Horseshoe, 180. Horse and Jockey, 173. Horse and Stag, 176. Horse and Tiger, 175. Horse and Trumpet, 176. Horseshoe, 178, 179, 180, 327. Horseshoe and Crown, 181. Hour-glass, 397. Hunchbacked Cats, 444. Huntsman, 361. Hyde Park, 416.
Ibex, 162. Illuminated Dust Pan, 397. Indian Chief, 431, 432. Indian Handkerchief 405. Indian King, 51, 431. Indian Queen, 431, 432. In Vino Veritas, 144. Iron Balcony, 375. Iron Pear-tree, 239. Ironwork, Signs suspended from ornamental, 7, 8. Ivy Bush, 233. Ivy Green, 233. Jackanapes on Horseback, 439. Jackass in Boots, 443. Jack of Both Sides, 468. Jack of Newbury, 78. Jack on a Cruise, 332. Jacob’s Well, 260, 274. Jamaica, 423. Jamaica and Madeira, 423. Jane Shore, 76. Jenny Lind, 83. Jersey Castle, 418. Jerusalem, 434. Jew’s Harp, 340. Jim Crow, 81. Joey Grimaldi, 85. John Bull, 415. John of Gaunt, 46. John of Jerusalem, 274. John o’ Groat’s, 79. Jolly Brewer, 450. Jolly Butchers, 302. Jolly Crispin, 281. Jolly Farmer, 352. Jolly Toper, 466. Jonson’s Head, 66. Jovial Dutchman, 425, 426. Jubilee, 100. Judge’s Head, 335. Jug and Glass, 387. Junction Arms, 136. Juno, 69.
Kangaroo, 162. Kettledrum, 322. Key, 397, 472. King and Miller, 74. King Astyages’ Arms, 257. King Charles in the Oak, 49. King Crispin. 281. King David, 262. King Edgar, 46. King John, 46. King of Denmark, 52. King of Prussia, 54. King’s Arms, 106. King’s Head, 305, 306, 307. Kings and Keys, 302. King’s Head and Good Woman, 455. King’s Porter and Dwarf, 89. Kite’s Nest, 178. Knowles, Sheridan, 60. Kouli Khan, 51.
La Belle Sauvage, 482. Labour in Vain, 460. Laced Shoe, 409. Lads of the Village, 105. Lady of the Lake, 81. Lamb, 191. Lamb and Anchor, 300. Lamb and Breeches, 191. Lamb and Crown, 191. Lamb and Flag, 300. Lamb and Hare, 191. Lamb and Inkbottle, 229. Lamb and Lark, 191. Lamb and Still, 191. Lambert, Daniel, 88. Lame Dog, 450. Lamp, 376. Land o’ Cakes, 420. Lass o’ Gowrie, 81. Last, 349. Lattice, 374, 375. Laughing Dog, 444. Leather Bottle, 386. Lebeck’s Head, 93. Lebeck and Chaffcutter, 93. Leg, 409, 494. Leg and Star, 494. Leigh Hoy, 333. Leopard, 152. Leopard and Tiger, 152. Letters, 476. Lilies of the Valley, 238. Linskill, Colonel, 99. Lion, 472. Lion and Adder, 299. Lion and Ball, 151. Lion and Castle, 128. Lion and Dolphin, 150. Lion and Goat, 299. Lion and Horseshoe, 180. Lion and Lamb, 299. Lion and Pheasant, 150. Lion and Snake, 299. Lion and Swan, 150. Lion and Tun, 150. Lion in the Wood, 149. Little A, 476. Little Devil, 294. Little Pig, 192. Live Vulture, 224. Live and Let Live, 450. Llangollen Castle, 418. Load of Hay, 353. Load of Mischief, 457. Lobster, 381. Loch-na-Gar, 81. Lock and Key, 398. Lock and Shears, 403. Locke’s Head, 63. Locks of Hair, 403. Looking-Glass, 392, 393. London Apprentice, 79. London Signs, temp. James I., 8, 9. London Signs, temp. Charles I., 9, 10. London Signs after the Fire, 16. London Signs in 1803, 31, 32. London Signs in 1865, 42, 43, 44. London Signs, Roxburghe Ballad upon the, 13. London Signs taken down, 28, 29. Lord Anglesey, 64. Lord Bacon’s Head, 63. Lord Byron, 68. Lord Cobham’s Head, 97. Lord Craven, 59. Loving Lamb, 444. Lubber’s Head, 147. Luck’s All, 451. Lucrece, 80.
Mad Cat, 196. Mad Dog, 196. Maggoty Pie, 221. Magna Charta, 46. Magpie, 40, 220. Magpie and Crown, 220, 221. Magpie and Horseshoe, 180. Magpie and Pewter Platter, 221. Magpie and Punchbowl, 388. Magpie and Stump, 221. Maid and the Magpie, 83. Maidenhead, 141. Maid’s Head, 142. Mail, 355. Malt and Hops, 244. Manage Horse, 175. Man in the Wood, 472. Man Loaded with Mischief, 456. Man of Ross, 68. Man in the Moon, 303, 304. Mare and Foal, 177. Marlborough’s Head, Duke of, 59. Marquis of Granby, 55, 58. Marrowbones and Cleaver, 358. Martin’s Nest, 178. Martyr’s Head, 48. Marygold, 237. Matrons, 321. Mattock and Spade, 353. Maypole, 506. Mazeppa, 68. Medieval Signs, 4, 5. Melancthon’s Head, 97. Mercury, 70. Mercury and Fan, 70. Merlin’s Cave, 77. Merry Andrew, 368. Merry Harriers, 194. Mermaid, 225, 226, 227. Merry Mouth, 491. Merry Song, 339. Merry Tom, 369. Middleton, Sir Hugh, 63. Million Gardens, 507. Millstone, 348. Milton’s Head, 67. Minerva, 69. Miraculous Draught of Fishes, 275. Mitre, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319. Mitre and Dove, 319. Mitre and Keys, 319. Mitre and Rose, 315, 319. Mitre on the Hoop, 504. Mischief, 457. Mitford Castle, 418. Minister’s Gown, 407. Mock-Signs, 12. Monck’s Head, 59. Monster, 507. Moon, 499. Moonrakers, 105, 463. Moore, General, 58. Mortal Man, 40, 464. Mortar and Pestle, 341. Moses and Aaron, 260. Moss-rose, 236. Mother Huff, 97. Mother Redcap, 96. Mother Shipton, 76. Mount Pleasant, 434. Mourning Crown, 48, 49. Mourning Mitre, 49. Mouth, 491. Mouth of the Nile, 61. Mulberry Tree, 240, 241. Mustard Pot, 383. Myrtle Tree, 238. Mystic Number Three, 269, note.
Nag’s Head, 176. Naked Boy, 452, 453. Naked Boy and Woolpack, 272. Name of Jesus, 279. Napier, Sir Charles, 57. Nell Gwynne, 97. Nelson and Peal, 166, 478. Neptune, 70. Newton, Sir Isaac, 62. Next Boat by Paul’s, 335. Nine Elms, 246. Noah’s Ark, 258. Nobis Inn, 473. Noblemen’s Badges, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136. Nobody, 457, 458. Noggin, 468. No Place, 436, 458. North Pole, 436. Norwich, City of, 418. Nowhere, 458. Number IV., 477. Numbers versus Signs, 29, 30. Number Three, 477.
Oak, 246, 474. Oak and Black Dog, 203. Oak and Toy, 246. Oakley Arms, 144. Oatsheaf, 252. Old Barge, 334. Old Careless, 468. Oldcastle, Sir John, 97. Old Coach and Six, 355. Old English Gentleman, 81, 415. Old Hand and Tankard, 493. Old Hobson, 92. Old House at Home, 82. Old Knave of Clubs, 505. Old Man, 494. Old Parr’s Head, 91. Old Pharaoh, 261. Old Pick my Toe, 468. Old Prison, 416. Old Ring o’ Bells, 478. Old Roson, 81. Old Smuggs, 468. Old Will Somers, 86, 87. Olive-tree, 242. One and All, 128. One Tun, 148. Orange-tree and Two Jars, 241, 242. Ormond’s Head, 59. Orpheus, 72. Ostrich, 223. Our Lady, 272. Our Lady of Pity, 272. Owl, 223. Owl’s Nest, 169, 223. Ox and Compasses, 188. Oxford Arms, 127. Ox in Boots, 442. Oxnoble, 251.
Pack Horse, 175. Paganini, 83. Pageant, 50. Palatine Head, 54. Palm-tree, 248. Panting Hart, 263. Panyer, 348. Paracelsus, 64. Paradise, 301. Parrot, 222. Parrot and Cage, 222. Parrot and Punchbowl, 388. Parson’s Green, 472. Parting Pot, 349. Parta Tueri, 144. Pasqua Rosee, 92. Patten, 410. Paltzgrave, 54. Paul’s Head, 290. Paul Pry, 86. Paviors’ Arms, 352. Peach-tree, 245. Peacock, 222. Peacock and Feathers, 223. Pearl of Venice, 406. Pear-tree, 239. Pease and Beans, 251. Peat Spade, 353. Peel, 348. Pelican, 200. Periwig, 404. Pestle, 341. Pestle and Mortar, 472. Peter’s Finger, 291. Pewter Platter, 396. Pewter Pot, 387. Philpott, Toby, 81. Phœnix, 199. Pickled Egg, 383. Pickwick, 81. Pie, 382. Pied Bull, 184. Pied Calf, 190. Pied Dog, 194. Pig and Tinder-box, 156. Pig and Whistle, 437. Pigeon, 218. Pigeon Bow, 219. Pilgrim, 508. Pindar of Wakefield, 75. Pindar, Sir Paul, 98. Pine Apple, 244. Pistol and C, 326. Pitcher and Glass, 387. Plate, 326. Plough, 351. Plough and Ball, 483. Plough and Harrow, 351. Plough and Horses, 351. Poet’s Head, 48, 337. Pointer, 194. Pole Star, 501. Political Sign Pasquinade, 13. Pontack’s Head, 93. Pope’s Head, (the Poet,) 67. Pope’s Head, 312, 313, 314. Popinjay, 222. Portcullis, 121. Porter Butt, 349. Porter and Gentleman, 361. Porter’s Lodge, 351. Portobello, 39, 57. Postboy, 363. Prince, 428. Prince Eugene, 53. Prince Rupert, 54. Prince of Wales’ Arms, 122. Prince of Wales’ Feathers, 122. Puddlers’ Arms, 352. Pump, 396. Punchbowl, 388. Punchbowl and Ladle, 388. Purcell’s Head, 83. Purgatory, 301. Purple Lion, 146. Puss in Boots, 442.
Q Inn, 476. Q in the Corner, 476. Quaker, 508. Queen Anne, 47. Queen Catherine, 47. Queen Charlotte, 40. Queen Eleanor, 47. Queen Elizabeth, 47. Queen Mary, 50. Queen of Bohemia, 47. Queen of Hearts and King’s Arms, 505. Queen of Hungary, 55. Queen of Saba, 263. Queen of Trumps, 505. Queen of the Gipsies, 508. Queen’s Arms, 107. Queen’s Arms and Corncutter, 107. Queen’s Elm, 246. Queen’s Head, 130, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 349, 510. Queen’s Head and Artichoke, 312. Queen Victoria, 50. Quiet Woman, 454.
Racoon, 162. Raffled Anchor, 333. Railway, 334. Rainbow, 502. Raleigh, Sir Walter, 56. Ram, 190. Raven and Bell, 165. Ram and Teazel, 149. Ram’s Head, 190. Ram’s Skin, 190. Ranged Deer, 165. Rat and Ferret, 162. Raven, 201. Recruiting Sergeant, 322. Red Ball and Acorn, 483. Red Bear, 152. Red Bull, 185. Red Cat, 197. Red Cow, 188, 189. Red Dragon, 111. Red Horse, 171. Red Lion, 119, 327. Red Lion and Key, 472. Red Lion and Punchbowl, 388. Red M and Dagger, 325. Red Poles, 373. Red Rover, 81. Red Shield, 504. Red Streak Tree, 239. Red, White, and Blue, 332. Reindeer, 157. Rembrandt’s Head, 82. Resurrection, 277, 474. Rest and be Thankful, 510. Rhenish Wine House, 384. Ribs of Beef, 378. Ring, 412. Ring and Ball, 484. Rising Buck, 165. Rising Deer, 165. Rising Sun, 118, 499. Rising Sun and Seven Stars, 499. Robin Adair, 81. Robin Hood and Little John, 75. Robinson Crusoe, 81. Rob Roy, 81. Rochester Castle, 418. Rodney, Admiral, 57. Rodney and Hood, 57. Rodney Pillar, 57. Roebuck, 165, 166. Rolls, 336. Roman Signs, 1, 2, 3. Rope and Anchor, 333. Rose, 124, 125, 126, 235. Rose and Ball, 126. Rose and Crown, 121. Rose and Key, 126. Rose and Punchbowl, 388. Rosebud, 236. Rose Garland, 236. Rosemary Branch, 238. Rose of Normandy, 237. Ross on Clinker, Captain, 99. Round of Beef, 378. Round Table, 79. Roxellana, 85. Royal Badges, 108, 109, 110. Royal Bed, 377. Royal Champion, 102. Royal Charles, 330. Royal Coffee-mill, 394. Royal Hand and Globe, 312. Royal Oak, 40, 49. Royal Standard, 105. Rummer, 389, 390. Rummer and Grapes, 239. Rum Puncheon, 349. Running Footman, 360. Running Horse, 173, 327. Running Man, 361. Russia House, 425.
Saddle, 357. St Alban, 297. St Augustine, 297. St Clement, 297. St Christopher, 285. St Crispin, 281. St Cuthbert, 296. St Dominic, 320. St Edmund’s Head, 296. St George and the Dragon, 287. St John the Evangelist, 296. St Hugh’s Bones, 282, 283. St Julian, 283. St Luke, 286. St Martin, 284. St Mychel, 296. St Patrick, 295. St Peter and St Paul, 291. St Thomas, 296. Salamander, 158. Salmon, 473. Salmon and Ball, 231, 483. Salmon and Compasses, 231. Salt-Horn, 377. Salutation, 264, 265. Salutation and Cat, 265, 266. Samaritan Woman, 274. Samson, 70, 262. Samson and the Lion, 262. Saracen’s Head, 430, 431. Saucy Ajax, 329. Saul, 290. Sawyers, 40. Scales, 362. Sceptre, 312. Sceptre and Heart, 312. Scotchman’s Pack, 421. Sedan Chair, 358, 359. Seneca’s Head, 65. Setter Dog, 194. Seven Sisters, 246. Seven Stars, 500. Sevilla, City of, 423. Shakespeare’s Head, 66, 335. Shamrock, 127. Shears, 350. Sheep and Anchor, 330. Shepherd and Crook, 353. Shepherd and Dog, 353. Shepherd and Shepherdess, 352. Sheridan Knowles, 69. Sheet Anchor, 333. Ship, 328, 329, 471. Ship and Anchor, 330. Ship and Bell, 331. Ship and Blue Coat Boy, 331. Ship and Castle, 331. Ship and Fox, 331. Ship and Notchblock, 331. Ship and Pilot-boat, 330. Ship and Plough, 331. Ship and Punchbowl, 388. Ship and Rainbow, 331. Ship and Shovel, 331. Ship and Star, 331. Ship and Whale, 330. Ship at Anchor, 330. Ship Friends, 331. Ship in Full Sail, 330. Ship in Distress, 330. Ship in Dock, 330. Ship on Launch, 330. Shirt, 451. Shoe and Slap, 409. Shoulder of Mutton and Cat, 378. Shoulder of Mutton and Cucumbers, 378. Shovel and Sieve, 347. Sieve, 395. Silver Lion, 119. Simon the Tanner, 286. Signboard Ballads, Modern, 32, 33. Signboard, Heraldic, Enormities, 35. Signboard Poetry, 17, 18. Sign-Painters, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41. Signs, bad spelling on, 27. Signs temp. George II., 22, 23, 24, 25. Signs temp. Queen Anne, 18, 19, 20, 21. Signs during the Commonwealth, 11. Signs, exhibition of, 28. Signs, extravagance in, 26. Signs, family names derived from, 42. Signs, jocular alteration of the names of, 22. Signs, London localities named after, 41. Signs of the zodiac, 501. Signs of the stews, 8. Signs, quarterings of, 21, 22. Silent Woman, 454. Sir Charles Napier, 57. Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, 64. Sir Frances Burdett, 63. Sir Hugh Middleton, 63. Sir Isaac Newton, 62. Sir John Falstaff, 67, 86. Sir John Barleycorn, 79. Sir John Oldcastle, 97. Sir Paul Pindar, 98. Sir Ralph Abercrombie, 58. Sir Roger de Coverley, 80. Sir Walter Raleigh, 56. Six Bells, 478. Six Cans, 388. Six Cans and Punchbowl, 388. Sloop, 333. Slow and Easy, 468. Smith and Smithy, 346. Smyrna, 429. Snowdrop, 238. Snow-shoes, 327. Soldier and Citizen, 264. Sol’s Arms, 149. South Sea Arms, 149. Sow and Pigs, 177. Spade and Becket, 353. Spanish Galleon, 100. Spanish Lady, 405. Spanish Patriot, 100. Sparrow’s Nest, 177. Speaker’s Frigate, 330. Spiller’s Head, 84. Spinning Sow, 438. Spinning Wheel, 362. Spite Hall, 468. Spread Eagle, 139. Spur, 357. Squirrel, 163. Staffordshire Knot, 128. Stag, 164. Stag and Castle, 165. Stag and Oak, 165. Stag and Pheasant, 165. Stag and Thorn, 165. Standard, 322. Star, 501. Star and Crown, 501. Star and Garter, 410. Stave Porter, 361. Still, 349. Stock Dove, 219. Stocking, 409. Stork, 203. String of Horses, 355. Struggler, 450. Struggling Man, 450. Sugarloaf, 394. Sugarloaf and Three Coffins, 371. Sultan Morat, 51. Sultan Soliman, 51. Sun, 272, 381, 496, 497, 498. Sun and Anchor, 499. Sun and Dial, 499. Sun and Falcon, 499. Sun and Horseshoe, 180, 499. Sun and Last, 499. Sun and Moor’s Head, 471. Sun and Red Cross, 471. Sun and Sawyers, 499. Sun and Sportsman, 499. Sun and Whalebone, 231. Sun in Splendour, 498. Sun, Moon, and Seven Stars, 500. Swan, 212, 213, 214, 215, 327, 379. Swan and Bottle, 217. Swan and Falcon, 118. Swan and Harp, 445. Swan and Helmet, 218. Swan and Hoop, 217. Swan and Maidenhead, 118. Swan and Rummer, 217. Swan and Rushes, 218. Swan and Salmon, 217. Swan and Soldier, 394, note. Swan and Sugarloaf, 217. Swan and White Hart, 118. Swan on the Hoop, 504. Swan with Two Necks, 216, 217. Sweet Apple, 391. Swiss Cottage, 489. Sword and Ball, 312. Sword and Buckler, 323, 324. Sword and Cross, 324. Sword and Dagger, 324. Sword and Mace, 312. Sword Blade, 324. Sycamore, 246. Syntax, Doctor, 81.
Tabard, 407. Tabor, 83. Talbot, 195, 408. Tallow-chandler, 362. Tally-Ho, 355. Tam o’ Shanter, 81. Tankard, 390. Tarlton, General, 58. Telegraph, 355. Temple, 416. Ten Bells, 478. Thirteen Cantons, 289. Thistle and Crown, 126. Thomas Gresham, 63. Thorn, 165. Three Admirals, 332. Three Angels, 269. Three Arrows, 130. Three Bad Ones, 457. Three Balls, 128, 395. Three Blackbirds, 203. Three Bibles, 254. Three Bibles and Three Ink bottles, 254. Three Blue Balls, 483. Three Brushes, 322. Three Candlesticks, 394. Three Chairs, 358. Three Cocks, 209. Three Coffins and Sugarloaf, 218. Three Colts, 178. Three Compasses, 146. Three Conies, 162, 472. Three Cranes, 204. Three Crickets, 393. Three Crosses, 277. Three Crowned Needles, 350. Three Crowns, 99, 102. Three Crowns and Sugarloaf, 218. Three Crows, 203. Three Cups, 149. Three Death’s-Heads, 371. Three Elms, 246. Three Fishes, 230, 472. Three Flower de Luces, 129. Three Forges, 346. Three Frogs, 129. Three Funnels, 395. Three Geese, 472. Three Goats’ Heads, 147. Three Hats, 402. Three Hats and Nag’s Head, 403. Three Herrings, 230. Three Horseshoes, 180. Three Johns, 63. Three Jolly Butchers, 358. Three Jolly Sailors, 332. Three Kings, 301, 302, 432. Three Legs, 127. Three Legs and Bible, 127. Three Leopard’s Heads, 147. Three Loggerheads, 30, 458, 459. Three Mariners, 331. Three Merry Devils, 432. Three Morris-dancers, 364, 365. Three Mumpers, 371. Three Neats’ Tongues, 381. Three Nuns, 320. Three Old Castles, 487. Three Pheasants and Sceptre, 150. Three Pigeons, 218, 219, 473. Three Pots, 389. Three Radishes, 251. Three Ravens, 202. Three Roses, 236. Three Spanish Ladies, 424. Three Spies, 261. Three Squirrels, 163. Three Stags, 119. Three Sugarloaves, 395. Three Swans & Peal, 166, 478. Three Tuns, 58, 148. Three Turks, 428. Three Washerwomen, 364. Three Widows, 321. Throstle’s Nest, 177. Thunderstorm, 502. Ticket Porter, 361. Tiger, 152. Tiger’s Head, 134. Tiltboat, 334. Tinker’s Budget, 369. Tippling Philosopher, 466. Tobacco Plant, 252. Tobacco Roll & Sugarloaf, 218. Tobacco Rolls, 252. Toby Philpott, 81. Tom of Bedlam, 369, 370. Tom Sayers, 88. Topham, 88. Tower of London, 416. Toy, 505. Trafalgar, 61. Trap, 361. Traveller’s Rest, 510. Trinity, 277. Triumph, 50. Triumphal Car, 327. True Briton, 415. True Lover’s Knot, 509. Trumpeter, 323. Trunk, 394. Tub, 397. Tulip, 238. Tulloch Gorum, 81. Tully’s Head, 65. Tumble Down Dick, 464, 465. Tumbling Sailors, 468. Tun, 474. Tun and Arrows, 471. Turk’s Head, 426, 427, 428. Turk and Slave, 429. Two Black Boys, 433. Two Blue Flowerpots, 377. Two Brewers, 349. Two Chances, 451. Two Chairmen, 358. Two Cocks, 471. Two Crowns & Cushions, 102. Two Draymen, 349. Two Dutchmen, 425. Two Fans, 412. Two Flowerpots and Sundial, 377. Two Golden Balls, 483. Two Heads, 490. Two Jolly Brewers, 349. Two Pots, 389. Two Sawyers, 346. Two Smiths, 347. Two Sneezing Cats, 444. Two Spies, 261. Two Storks, 204. Two Twins, 501. Two White Balls, 483.
Umbrella, 412. Umbrella Hospital, 413. Uncle Tom, 81. Under the Rose, 236, 237. Union, 100. Unicorn, 159, 160. Unicorn and Bible, 159. Union Arms, 136. Union Flag and Punchbowl, 388. Up and Down Post, 363.
Valentine and Orson, 76. Van Dyke’s Head, 82. Venice, 425. Vernon, Admiral, 57. Vine, 243, 244. Violin, Hautboy, and German Flute, 338. Virgil’s Head, 65. Virgin, 272. Virginian, 431. Vulcan, 70.
Wallace’s Arms, 45. Walmer Castle, 417. Walnut-tree, 240. Water Tankard, 391. Waving Flag, 322. Weary Traveller, 510. Welch Head, 98. Well and Bucket, 374. Well with Two Buckets, 374. Wentworth Arms, 144. Wheatsheaf, 251. Wheatsheaf and Sugarloaf, 218. Wheel, 367. Wheel of Fortune, 506. Whip, 357. Whip and Egg, 357. White Bait, 231. White Bear, 93, 154, 155, 296, 416. White Boar, 116. White Dragon, 111. White Greyhound, 194. White Hart, 112, 487. White Hart and Fountain, 263. White Horse, 171, 172, 296, 327. White Lion, 119. White Peruke, 404. Whitley Grenadier, 419. Whittington and his Cat, 78. Who’d ha’ Thought it? 450. Widow’s Struggle, 450. Wild Bull, 182. Wild Dayrell, 175. Wild Man, 367. Wild Sea, 502. Wilkes’ Head, 63. William and Mary, 50. Willow Tree, 247. Wiltshire Shepherd, 419. Windmill, 348. Wolf and Lamb, 299. Wolfe, General, 58. Wolsey, Cardinal, 63. Woodbine, 238. Wooden Shoe, 410. Woodman, 355. Woolsack, 362. World’s End, 436, 461, 462. World Turned Upside Down, 462. Wounded Heart, 300. Wrestlers, 484.
Y, 476. Yellow Lion, 150. Yew Tree, 248, 475. Yorick’s Head, 68. York, city of, 416, 417. York Minster, 417. Yorkshire Grey, 58, 171. Yorkshire Stingo, 384. Young Devil, 294. Young Man, 494.
Z, 477.
Transcriber’s Notes
The text of the original publication, including inconsistencies in spelling, hyphenation, formatting, etc. has been retained, except as mentioned below. Names and publications that were spelled differently in various places have not been standardised. The sorting of the index has not been changed.
Depending on the hard- and software used and their settings, not all characters and symbols may display as intended.
Phrases such as “this century,” “last century,” “the present day,” “modern,” etc. should be read with 1866 (the year of publication of the first impression) as the reference point.
Remarks on the text
Not all quotations presented in this book are verbatim quotations.
Wouwverman and Wouverman probably refer to Wouwerman.
Footnote [35]: The Three Balls of the Pawnbrokers are explained under Heraldic and Emblematic Signs, not under Miscellaneous Signs.
Page 103: Rivingtons the publishers: possibly an error for Rivington the publisher.
Page 134, Sussen: possibly an error for Sussex.
Page 336, reference to the Good Lawyer: presumably this is a reference to the HONEST LAWYER.
Page 514, Hogarty: possibly error for Hagarty (as announced on page 512).
Footnote [677]: page 297 is in the chapter Saints, Martyrs, etc., not in the chapter Legendary and Biblical Signs. The page reference is correct.
Changes made to the text
Footnotes have been moved to the end of the chapter.
Obvious punctuation errors have been corrected silently; missing quote marks have been added only when it was clear where they should be added (therefore not all quote marks close properly).
i. e. has been standardised to i.e..
Where necessary, a space has been inserted before abbreviated Dutch words (’t, ’n, ’s etc.). Other corrections in quotations have been verified with outside sources (if possible the ones referred to in this work) or with the translation given; such corrections were only made when the printed text contained obvious errors.
Second Plate I. has been renumbered to Plate II.
Page 70: che changed to the
Page 77: footnote anchor [96] inserted after funera concors
Page 83: twelve player changed to twelve players
Page 109: Admyralyte changed to Admyraltye
Page 117: y_{e} sign changed to y^{e} sign
Page 122: as in merken kan changed to as ik merken kan
Page 125: dwellig changed to dwelling
Page 132: Compleat Ambssador changed to Compleat Ambassador
Page 175: me tyzer changed to met yzer
Footnote 265: bo ke changed to booke
Footnote 276: dithy rambics changed to dithyrambics
Page 201: anyrate changed to any rate
Page 209: latterry changed to latterly
Page 231: Comèdie changed to Comédie
Page 251: Alseen changed to Als een
Page 259: footnote anchor [373] added after extravagances
Page 263: Alyso changed to Also
Page 270: y Angel and Crown changed to y^{e} Angel and Crown
Page 282: min de minsch int beeste villen changed to men de mensch uit beestevellen; gilt changed to gelt; bestillen changed to bestellen; zeep changed to zelf
Page 299: Flechnoe changed to Flecknoe
Page 305: ... the particular trade ... changed to ... of the particular trade ...
Page 346: dipsetic changed to dyspeptic
Page 353: Troost for Zuigelingen changed to Troost voor Zuigelingen
Page 354: that edel kruyt changed to dat edel kruyt; Teckere changed to Leckere; beginnez changed to beginnen; Zoekje changed to Zoek je
Page 372: Tallemant des Reaux changed to Tallement des Réaux as elsewhere; Rucholt changed to Ruckholt
Page 381: eighteeenth changed to eighteenth
Page 390: maarkomt in changed to maar komt in
Page 403: Our ’t hoofd changed to Om ’t hoofd; Voer der staten kroon changed to Voor der staten kroon
Page 404: three-house wifely changed to three house-wifely
Page 442: gelaars de haan en gelaar de haan changed to gelaarsde haan; drees changed to dees
Page 443: In den gelaars den changed to In den gelaarsden
Page 446: Van daag voor geld, morg in voor niet changed to Vandaag voor geld, morgen voor niet
Page 450: Dus na ben in changed to Dus na ben ik
Page 453: garing changed to garish
Footnote [667]: Geldorland changed to Gelderland
Page 477: Hetzner changed to Hentzner
Page 488: ckeker of the Hope changed to cheker of the Hope
Page 529: 588 changed to 388
Page 535: page number 147 added after Three Leopard’s Heads.
The end
You’ve reached the end of The History of Signboards, from the Earliest times to the Present Day.
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