Antique Original Pen, Ink and Watercolour on Card Paintings

A very charming and unusual set of drawings painted in a folky naive style with bags of character.

Depicting four eccentric characters with inscriptions:

‘John Elwes, The Remarkable Miser.’ - Elwes (1714-1789) was an eccentric English miser and member of parliament. Elwes is considered to be the inspiration for Charles Dickens's character Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (1843)

‘Margaret McAvoy, an Extraordinary Blind Girl.’ - McAvoy (1800-1820) claimed she could sense colours through the medium of her fingers despite having lost her sight. At the request of Sir Joseph Banks, she was investigated by Liverpool historian William Roscoe, who concluded that she was not in fact blind.

‘Chevalier Desseasau, Remarkable for his Vanity.’ - Michel Descazeaux du Hally (1710-1775), was known as The Vain Dwarf, he was a French adventurer who supposedly served in the Prussian army, but fled to England after duelling with a fellow officer. He wrote poetry while confined in the Fleet Prison in London.

‘William Penn.’ - (1644-1718) was a leading Quaker, writer and the founder of the state of Pennsylvania.

All portraits appear to be after engravings from the book ‘Wonderful Characters: Comprising Memoirs and Anecdotes of the Most Remarkable Persons of Every Age and Nation", Vol. II, by Henry Wilson. [J. Robins and Co. Albion Press, London, 1821]’

The drawings date from some time in the 19th Century, sometime between when the above book was published in 1821 and when they were framed in the late 19th century.

Framed and glazed in ebonised frames with labels verso for ‘Seymours, Frame Makers, Gilders etc. & Art Dealers, Brighton’.

The drawings are all in good vintage order as are the frames with wear consistent with age throughout.,

Approximate overall measurements:

The two larger 24cm x 18cm x 2cm each.

The next size down measures 21cm x 14cm x 2cm.

The smallest measures 17cm x 14cm x 2cm.

Delivery is £30 to the Mainland UK. If you live elsewhere please get in touch for an accurate quote. The shipping will automatically be added at checkout unless you select collection.