Rare estate sale find!!! This is an antique engraving of a book illustration done by:
Isaac Robert Cruikshank, and George Cruikshank, Published by Sherwood, Neely & Jones, London, England, April 1821"Tom Jerry and Logic backing Tommy the Sweep at the Royal Cockpit" is the title of the illustration. It is a scene from the book by Pierce Egan entitled "Life in London".
Info from Spitafields Life:
"The characters of Tom, Jerry & Logic were loosely based upon the
brothers who collaborated upon the illustrations, Isaac Richard &
George Cruickshank, and the writer Pierce Egan, all relishing this
opportunity to dramatise their own escapades for popular effect. Isaac
Richard & George’s father had enjoyed a successful career as a
political cartoonist in the seventeen-nineties and it was his sons’ work
upon “Life in London” that brought the family name back into prominence
in the nineteenth century, leading to George Cruikshank’s long term
collaboration with Charles Dickens."
credit: https://spitalfieldslife.com/2016/04/14/pearce-egans-life-in-london/
The engraving is in fair condition. There is some yellowing, tiny holes at the bottom where the print meets the mat board. The mat has a water stain in the lower left corner. The print was taped in the back and the tape and paper has yellowed with age. There is some pencil writing on the back that I don't know the meaning of - looks like 99-86 and other numbers, then 'Harvey'. There is a visible hole in the upper left corner, in the white border of the print. Please see all pix for details of condition. The print size is 4.5 inches in height by 7 1/4 inches wide. The total size of this piece in its dusty blue mat is about 9x11inches.
This appears to be a rare print. I found others online on various museum websites, so this is a valuable print, even in its not-so-perfect condition. The colors are vibrant and clear. These are called etching and aquatint - they were hand colored with watercolors.
This print is a great addition to your art collection, especially if you enjoy 19th century Dickensian stories and art. Make an offer.