"INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT OF THE 'JOSEPHUS CUBICULARIUS' ORCHIDENIS"

+ Note: this cartoon comes with an accompanying page with related commentary (entitled "Development: A dream of Political Darwinism", included (see 2 & 3 images)

+ This cartoon shows two British politicians focusing on Joseph Chamberlain, British statesman and Liberal Unionist who opposed home rule for Ireland. He appears to be depicted in five anthropomorphized orchids, and the top two caricatures I believe to be politician William Harcourt..  Variously inscribed in the cartons are words ‘FUTURE’, ‘CONSERVATION’; the Chamberlain orchids inscribed ‘SOCIAL BUTTERFLY,’ ‘UNION JACK’, ‘RADICAL ORCHIDS’, ‘SCREW ORCHID’ AND ‘LIBERTY EQUALITY FRATERNITY.’

Illustration by Linley Sambourne, from British Punch magazine, original, not a modern reproduction, pulled from the February 17, 1894 issue. Condition: excellent  - the leaf has been humidified and flattened with no handling or storage, still bright and clean; unrelated text on the backside with some show-through on the facing side, as published, please look closely. 

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WHAT IS PUNCH?

Punch, a magazine of humor and satire, ran from 1841-2002. A very British institution renowned internationally for its wit and irreverence, it helped to coin the term "cartoon" in its modern sense as a humorous illustration. Punch was the world's most celebrated magazine of wit and satire. From its early years as a campaigner for social justice to its transformation into national icon, Punch played a central role in the formation of British identity -- and how the rest of the world saw the British nation. In its formative years Punch combined humors, illustration and political debate with a fresh and radical audacity. During its heyday in the late 1800s, it reflected the conservative views of the growing middle-classes and copies of it could be found in the libraries of diplomats, cabinet ministers and even royalty. In the Western world, Punch played a significant role in the development of satire. In the world of illustration, it practically revolutionized it. Over the decades as it charted the interests, concerns and frustrations of the country and today it stands as an invaluable source of cartoon art, satire, but as primary source material for historians.

Edward Linley Sambourne (4 January 1844 – 3 August 1910) was an English cartoonist and illustrator most famous for being a draughtsman for the satirical magazine Punch for more than forty years and rising to the position of "First Cartoonist" in his final decade.