Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

Colonial Command: Sir Godfrey Yeatman Lagden, Guardian of Basutoland, 1901

$209.61
$262.0120% Off
£156.08
£195.1020% Off
€176
€22020% Off
CA$287.12
CA$358.9020% Off
A$320.17
A$400.2120% Off
CHF 167.05
CHF 208.8120% Off
MX$3,928.60
MX$4,910.7520% Off
NOK 2,126.29
NOK 2,657.8720% Off
SEK 2,014.62
SEK 2,518.2720% Off
DKK 1,339.82
DKK 1,674.7820% Off
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

This caricature from Vanity Fair, published on August 22, 1901, features Sir Godfrey Yeatman Lagden, the British Resident Commissioner of Basutoland, which is now known as Lesotho. The title "Basutoland" in the caption aligns with his role and the colonial administration he was part of during that period. Sir Godfrey Yeatman Lagden is depicted in outdoor attire suitable for the rugged terrain of Basutoland, complete with a walking stick and a pipe, suggesting a figure who is both authoritative and practical, possibly reflecting his experiences and responsibilities in colonial administration. His attire, which includes a jacket and puttees, is typical of a British colonial officer in Africa during this era, designed for both function and formality. The artist, 'Spy'—Sir Leslie Ward, is known for his insightful caricatures that often highlight the professional and personal demeanor of his subjects. In this portrayal, Lagden's determined expression and sturdy posture convey his commanding presence and the challenges of his administrative duties in a colonial context. The illustration in Vanity Fair was created using lithography, a popular printing technique in the 19th century. Lithography involves drawing an image with a grease-based medium on a limestone plate, then treating the surface with a chemical that ensures the ink only adheres to the drawn areas. This plate is then used to print the image on paper. The technique allows for high-quality, detailed prints that capture subtle gradations of tone and sharp contrasts, ideal for vividly portraying the unique caricatures for which Vanity Fair was known. Vanity Fair prints gained popularity due to several factors: 1. Celebrity and Notoriety: The magazine featured prominent figures from various fields, including politics, royalty, arts, and sports. This wide range appealed to a broad audience interested in different aspects of society and celebrity. 2. Artistic Quality: The prints were known for their high artistic quality and the distinctive styles of the contributing artists, such as 'Ape' (Carlo Pellegrini), and 'Spy', who had a keen eye for detail and a wry sense of humor that shone through in his caricatures. 3. Humor and Satire: The caricatures often included humorous and satirical interpretations of the subjects’ personalities and careers, making them not only visually engaging but also entertaining. 4. Collectibility and Decoration: These prints were collectible items even at the time of their publication. They were often framed and displayed, serving as conversation pieces due to their striking and often amusing portrayals of well-known personalities. 5. Social Commentary: By exaggerating features and mannerisms, the caricatures provided insightful, though playful, commentary on the public figures of the day, resonating with the Victorian society’s appetite for social and political satire. The combination of high artistic standards, humor, and social critique in a format accessible to the Victorian middle class made Vanity Fair lithographs highly popular and sought after as both collectibles and decor.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)Width: 10.63 in (27 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1885
  • Condition:
    Condition: Good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13102-91stDibs: LU3054341316802

More From This Seller

View All
Renaissance Man: Sir Alfred Cooper – Medicine, Cricket and Commerce, Vanity Fair
Located in Langweer, NL
This Vanity Fair caricature from May 5, 1904, features Sir Alfred Cooper, an English surgeon noted for his contributions to medicine during that era. The...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Vanity Fair Print 'Mr. Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt' by Spy – 1899
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Vanity Fair Print 'Mr. Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt' by Spy – 1899 This is an original Vanity Fair lithograph featuring Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, published as a supplement in 1899. The caricature was created by Leslie Ward, famously known as "Spy." Vanderbilt, a prominent American businessman and a member of the wealthy Vanderbilt family, is depicted here in his signature style—elegantly dressed in a tailored double-breasted coat, holding a driving whip, and wearing a top hat. The details of his fashionable attire and poised stance highlight his status as a key figure in high society and equestrian sports. Published by Bemrose Dalziel Ltd., this Vanity Fair caricature is part of a long-standing tradition of capturing notable personalities from various spheres, including the aristocracy, business, and sport. Alfred Vanderbilt was known for his involvement in coaching and horse racing, making this print a wonderful representation of his lifestyle and the culture of the elite during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This lithograph is perfect for collectors of Vanity Fair prints, equestrian enthusiasts, or those interested in historical depictions of influential figures. It serves as a stylish decorative piece, ideal for those who appreciate vintage caricatures...
Category

Antique 1890s Prints

Materials

Paper

Master of the Blade: Alfred Hutton, The Fencing Historian, Vanity Fair 1903
Located in Langweer, NL
This Vanity Fair illustration from August 13, 1903, is a caricature of Alfred Hutton, captioned "Cold Steel." Created by the artist known as "Jest," which is another pseudonym in the...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Vanity Fair Print 'Shamrock' 1901 by Spy – Decorative Lithograph
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Vanity Fair Print 'Shamrock' Sept. 26th, 1901 by Spy – Decorative Lithograph This is an antique color lithograph from the iconic Vani...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Vanity Fair Print 'A.A.A' Montague Shearman – 1895
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Vanity Fair Print 'A.A.A' Montague Shearman – 1895 This is an original Vanity Fair lithograph dated July 4, 1895, titled "A.A.A," featuring Montague Shearman, a distinguished British judge and athlete. Illustrated by "Wag" (the pseudonym of artist Alfred Thompson), this caricature highlights Shearman's association with the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), as indicated by the title. Shearman is shown in a thoughtful pose, holding a top hat and umbrella behind his back, dressed in formal attire. His observant stance reflects his keen role as a legal figure and sports official. Published by Vincent Brooks, Day & Son Ltd., this print was part of Vanity Fair's "Men of the Day" series, which caricatured influential figures of the time. Montague Shearman was notable not only for his legal career but also for his contributions to amateur athletics, making this lithograph a fascinating piece of sports and legal history. This artwork is perfect for collectors of Vanity Fair prints, those with an interest in the history of athletics, or admirers of Victorian caricatures...
Category

Antique 1870s Prints

Materials

Paper

Royal Elegance: Prince Henry of Orleans, Fencing Nobleman, Vanity Fair 1897
Located in Langweer, NL
This illustration from Vanity Fair, dated September 30, 1897, depicts Prince Henry of Orleans. It's crafted by Jean Baptiste Guth, an artist known for his detailed and refined portraits in Vanity Fair. This particular caricature portrays the prince in an elegant pose with a fencing foil...
Category

Antique 1890s Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

Vanity Fair, Military Print, the Cavalry Division
By Godfrey Douglas Giles
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vanity fair military print 'the Cavalry Division' after G.D.G. A chromolithograph military print published 12th July, 1900, by Vincent Brooks, Day & S...
Category

20th Century British Sporting Art Prints

Materials

Paper

Vanity Fair 'Joe', portrait of Sir Joseph Lyons
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'Joe' Hentschel-Colourtype. 1910. Vanity Fair portrait of Sir Joseph Lyons who founded the famous Cafe shops. 380mm by 265mm (sheet)
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

English Victorian Style Portrait of a Gentleman, Lucia Tarditi, 1913
By Lucia Tarditi
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian style full lengths portrait of a gentleman (possibly Toscanini) with a mustache wearing a long black coat & hat holding a cane (signed: LUCIA TARDITI 1913 ROMA VII)...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Victorian Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Major General The Hon. Reginald Talbot , Vanity Fair caricature portrait, 1897
By Sir Leslie Ward
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'Aldershot Cavalry' Vanity Fair portrait of Major General The Hon. Reginald Talbot CB. (1841-1929). He was Governor of Victoria, Australia, from 25 April 1904 to 6 July 1908, taking...
Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

General Sir Francis Grenfell KCB, Vanity Fair military caricature portrait, 1889
By Sir Leslie Ward
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Vanity Fair portrait of General Sir Francis Grenfell KCB Chromolithograph, 1889. Field Marshal Francis Wallace Grenfell, 1st Baron Grenfell, GCB, GCMG, PC was a British Army offic...
Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

'the Cavalry Division', Vanity Fair military army horse chromolithograph, 1900
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'The Cavalry Division' Vanity Fair portrait of Field Marshall John French (1852-1925). He was an English commander who served in the Soudan, Boer War and World War I. Godfrey Doug...
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Portrait Prints

Materials

Lithograph