A Guide to the George Cruikshank collection, 1833-1872 M 193
A Collection in Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Collection number M 193
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VCU James Branch Cabell Library
Special Collections and Archives 901 Park AvenueRichmond, Virginia 23284
Business Number: (804) 828-1108
libjbcsca@vcu.edu
URL: https://www.library.vcu.edu/research-teaching/special-collections-and-archives/locations/#cabell
B. Pittman and Ray Bonis
Administrative Information
Use Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research.
Preferred Citation
George Cruikshank collection, Collection # M 193, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
Biographical / Historical
George Cruikshank, son of caricaturist Isaac Cruikshank, was born in London, England in 1792 and died there in 1878. He began his career as a social/political caricaturist in 1811. Between 1819 and 1821, Cruikshank produced a series of colored etchings followed by a collection of comic stories in four volumes. He was considered the foremost illustrator of such classics as Grimms' Fairy Tales, Scott's novels and Dicken's Oliver Twist. In 66 years of work, Cruikshank illustrated more than 200 books. His work, wrote one reviewer of a biography of Cruikshank, "recorded, commented on, and satirized his times to such an extent that they have frequently been used to represent the age."
Scope and Contents
The collection is comprised of eight sketches and notes by Cruikshank dated 1833, 1845, 1852, 1874, and undated. The collection also contains seven autographed letters to Cruikshank, and one un-mailed mourning envelope addressed in Cruikshank's hand, with his signature for return address. The letters total 13 pages are on matters of business, arrangements for printing his drawings, passes to exhibits of his works, and the like, 1860-1872. Special Collections and Archives also has a significant collection of books illustrated by George Cruikshank -- many of which were published in the 19th century.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Illustrators -- Archives -- Great Britain
Container List
One sheet consisting of a portion of a book wrapper from Debenham and Freebody, postmarked 28 December, 1874 in London, and addressed to Cruikshank. On the blank verso Cruikshank has filled the sheet with a list of fifteen magazines, newspapers, and editors, and marked numbers and check marks by the names as if keeping an account of the distribution of some publican. Two ink drawings appear also.
One sheet, consisting of an envelope that has been unfolded, addressed to Cruikshank and postmarked 6 January, 1874. On blank surface Cruikshank has made a list of fourteen names. Two ink drawings appear as well.
One sheet, consisting of a letter from a Mr. C.W. Caggan warning Cruikshank that he would be calling on him shortly, dated 27 February, 1852. On the verso Cruikshank had penciled the title "The Art of Self Defense "and National Defense. Below this, along with random notes, he has drawn a swirling mass of clouds.
One leaf consisting of a letter written to Cruikshank from an author who requested him to submit a paper to "Ainsworth's Magazine "anonymously so as not to "ruin [his] correspondence with Mr. Mortimer. " On the verso Cruikshank has written the title "Outlines of Society for Our Own Times and roughed out two portraits, one a profile, the other a three-quarter view. "Our Own Times" was issued in four numbers, the first in April of 1846, and in this first number appeared an etching entitled "Outline of Society in Our Own Times," for which these are preliminary sketches.
One sheet, folded to four pages, the first and last pages filled with notes, and two pencil portraits. One page contains Cruikshank's notes for a lecture on railway accidents with notes like "court marital, cruelty to women, 3000 in America, 1000 miles, half a million names... "The other page has a program entitled "Opening Address of Mr. Cruikshank "with six names listed.
This letter by Cruikshank was located in "George Cruikshank's Magazine, " London: David Bogue, 1854. [No. 1 (Jan. 1854)-no. 2 (Feb. 1854)]. This publication was purchased by Special Collections and Archives and is cataloged and housed in Special Collections and Archives' book collection with the call number: AP4 .G34. The letter discusses the publication "George Cruikshank's Magazine ".
Original receipt from Bradbury and Evans to Cruikshank regarding their publication of "George Cruikshank's Omnibus " which was published in 1841-1842. On the verso are notes by Cruikshank and various drawings.
3 1/2 x 4 1/2, with three addresses in ink and three pencil sketches, and an ink drawing.
Seven autographed letters to Cruikshank, and one un-mailed mourning envelope addressed in Cruikshank's hand, with his signature for return address. The letters total 13 pages are on matters of business, arrangements for printing his drawings, passes to exhibits of his works, and the like, 1860-1872.