THE INDIAN JUGGLERS
Print
13/09/1813 (Published)
13/09/1813 (Published)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This was printed by Rudolph Ackermann (1764-1834) who established a print shop in 1795 at 96 Strand which he moved in 1797 to 101 Strand and named The Repository of Arts. He sold prints and illustrated books but known for the periodical he started in 1809 The Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashion and Politics. This print shows the Indian jugglers who became a great attraction in London in 1813 after they were brought to England from Calcutta by Captain Peter Campbell on board HMS Lord Keith. Campbell arranged a private performance for the Prince Regent and Parliament before installing them at 87 Pall Mall where for a three shilling entry fee they could be seen four times a day demonstrating 'jugglery, acrobatics, yogic contortions, and sleight of hand'.
The Times, 27 July 1813 reported: 'The exhibition of the Indian jugglers at no. 87 Pall Mall has been attended by nearly all the Families of distinction in town, and is becoming extremely popular. The swallowing of the sword, and the novelty of the other performances, have attracted public attention beyond anything that has appeared in the metropolis for many years past.'
Ackermann printed a smaller, cheaper version of this print a month later, presumably because this sold so well.
As can be seen by the address and postmark in the back of the print, this was folded and posted to Sir Thomas Frankland Lewis (1780-1855), a Tory MP living at Harpton Court, Radnorshire, in October 1813, a month after it was first published. Today Harpton Court is a Grade II listed building in Old Radnor, Powys.
The Times, 27 July 1813 reported: 'The exhibition of the Indian jugglers at no. 87 Pall Mall has been attended by nearly all the Families of distinction in town, and is becoming extremely popular. The swallowing of the sword, and the novelty of the other performances, have attracted public attention beyond anything that has appeared in the metropolis for many years past.'
Ackermann printed a smaller, cheaper version of this print a month later, presumably because this sold so well.
As can be seen by the address and postmark in the back of the print, this was folded and posted to Sir Thomas Frankland Lewis (1780-1855), a Tory MP living at Harpton Court, Radnorshire, in October 1813, a month after it was first published. Today Harpton Court is a Grade II listed building in Old Radnor, Powys.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | THE INDIAN JUGGLERS (published title) |
| Materials and techniques | Printing ink and watercolour on paper |
| Brief description | Hand-coloured lithograph titled The Indian Jugglers. Published by Rudolph Ackermann, 101 Strand, 13th September 1813 |
| Physical description | Hand-coloured etching showing three Indian jugglers sitting on a dais, one playing the hand cymbals, one balancing on his mouth and nose an incense burner resting on a trivet of incense sticks, and a third swallowing a sword. Titled in the margin below: 'Published by R. Ackermann 101 Strand 13 Sep 1813' 'THE INDIAN JUGGLERS' next to which have been painted six grotesque Chinese figures in watercolour, probably by the colourist of the main image. The image has been folded and sealed with red sealing wax and was sent to T. Frankland Lewis Esq., Harpton Court, Radnor, South Wales. It is postmarked 15 October 1813. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Inscribed verso: 'T. Frankland Lewis Esq., Harpton Court, Radnor, South Wales' 'Free' |
| Summary | This was printed by Rudolph Ackermann (1764-1834) who established a print shop in 1795 at 96 Strand which he moved in 1797 to 101 Strand and named The Repository of Arts. He sold prints and illustrated books but known for the periodical he started in 1809 The Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashion and Politics. This print shows the Indian jugglers who became a great attraction in London in 1813 after they were brought to England from Calcutta by Captain Peter Campbell on board HMS Lord Keith. Campbell arranged a private performance for the Prince Regent and Parliament before installing them at 87 Pall Mall where for a three shilling entry fee they could be seen four times a day demonstrating 'jugglery, acrobatics, yogic contortions, and sleight of hand'. The Times, 27 July 1813 reported: 'The exhibition of the Indian jugglers at no. 87 Pall Mall has been attended by nearly all the Families of distinction in town, and is becoming extremely popular. The swallowing of the sword, and the novelty of the other performances, have attracted public attention beyond anything that has appeared in the metropolis for many years past.' Ackermann printed a smaller, cheaper version of this print a month later, presumably because this sold so well. As can be seen by the address and postmark in the back of the print, this was folded and posted to Sir Thomas Frankland Lewis (1780-1855), a Tory MP living at Harpton Court, Radnorshire, in October 1813, a month after it was first published. Today Harpton Court is a Grade II listed building in Old Radnor, Powys. |
| Associated objects |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.245-2018 |
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| Record created | October 8, 2018 |
| Record URL |
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