Title Information
Title
French post extraordinary from Moscow to Paris
Title Information: Alternative (displayLabel="Variant")
Title
Ausserordentliche Französische Reitpost von Moscau nach Paris
Name
Name Part
Cruikshank, George
Name Part: Date
1792-1878
Role
Role Term: Text
caricaturist
Name
Name Part
Humphrey, Hannah
Name Part: Date
ca. 1745-1818
Role
Role Term: Text
publisher
Origin Information
Place
Place Term: Text
London
Date Created
1813
Physical Description
Extent
1 print; 27 x 37.4 cm
Abstract
The title, as well as the dialogue spoken by the characters, is inscribed in Cyrillic, German, and English (possibly Cruikshank's addition). An ass with winged hooves soars through the air; his graceless journey is heralded by two trumpeting figures on golden eagles tethered to his tail. A plaque around his neck signals that he is "Le Courier Extraordinaire de l'Emp[ereur] Napoleon"-- The Extraordinary Courier of the Emperor Napoleon." Yet, the mule is clearly angry; he snorts fire from his nostrils and brays. The pomp indicated by the trappings and flags does little to hide the fact that the "Great Nation" and the "Grand Emperor" are supported by a common farm mule. Five figures straddle the mule's back. Napoleon, dressed in full military regalia, holds an eagle and a paper inscribed "Tout à Dessein" in his outstretched arms. Behind Napoleon, four other figures symbolizing four French generals in different branches of the army proudly celebrate their escape from Moscow. Bringing up the rear, a woman standing in a basket inscribed "Provisions from Moscow"--and suggestively hung from the ass's tail--offers a bone and an empty flask to two figures who hang on to the animal's tail. The figures who hang from the mule's tail have been identified by George as a hussar officer and possibly a polish officer. Despite their pleas made to Napoleon and the French officers who are securely riding the mule, they are in great danger of losing their grasp. This print is in excellent condition.
Note
Published by Hannah Humphrey. This sheet is one of a series made after Russian satires by George Cruikshank. 1813-03-26
Note: Text (displayLabel="Caption", lang="English")
Copied from a Russian Print
Note: Text (displayLabel="Caption", lang="English")
Pubd March 26th 1813 by H. Humphprey St James's St. London
Note: Text (displayLabel="Dialogue", lang="English")
Trumpeters: "He is coming, the Great Emperor is Coming!" "Erkomt dor Grosse!" Napoleon: "Mit Ruhm geb'ich das Ferien geld!!!" Also, in Cyrillic. English translation by George: [With Glory I left without paying my bills!] Figure waving a cannon: "seh't da! See! See!" Figure in basket: "Courage meine Herrn! Courage Gentlemen!" Hussar officer: "Erbarmt Euch nehmt uns mit, For Gods sake take us with you."
Note: Text (displayLabel="Annotation", lang="")
TH1.53
Note: Text (displayLabel="Annotation", lang="")
eo [?]
Note: Text (displayLabel="Collector's Mark", lang="")
A
Subject
Name: Personal
Name Part
Napoleon
Name Part: Terms of Address
I, Emperor of the French
Name Part: Date
1769-1821
Topic
Caricatures and cartoons
Subject
Topic
Women
Related Item: Host (displayLabel="Collection:")
Title Information
Title
Napoleonic Satires
Identifier: COLID
2
Identifier: URI
http://dl.lib.brown.edu/napoleon
Identifier: Local (displayLabel="ASKB Call No.:")
Bullard Portfolio
Location
Physical Location
John Hay Library
Identifier: METSID
1137104030744640
Type of Resource
still image
Access Condition: rights statement (href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/")
No Copyright - United States
Access Condition: restriction on access
Collection is open for research.