[War of Jenkins' Ear]:

$1,250 · Offered by William Reese Company

THE PREFERMENT OF THE BARBER'S BLOCK. THE CARDINAL IN THE DUMPS, WITH THE HEAD OF THE COLOSSUS [caption title]. A satire against French Cardinal Fleury, Chief Minister to Louis XV, published during the frenzy of celebrations over Admiral Vernon's victory over the Spanish at the Battle of Porto Bello - an enthusiasm which the Cardinal apparently did not share. Fleury was an ally of Robert Walpole, whose power was in decline and had reluctantly agreed to hostilities with Spain. Fleury is seen here seated, reaching out toward a medallion of Admiral Vernon and holding a scroll which reads, "His iron will get ye better of my gold" and "G-d, he'll take all our acquisitions in America." On the wall behind him are several small crude illustrations, one of which appears to be a portly Walpole hanging from a gallows above the slogan, "No matter if he is longer than ye gallows." A head sits atop a pole, perhaps alluding to the fact that many people would be pleased to see Walpole's head positioned thus. Engraved by George Bickham. Only one copy located in OCLC, at Northwestern University.

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.