Rarities from abroad!!! (caricature)

In this hand-coloured print, a small procession of exotic animals, led by a figure in a blue coat, resembling British Prime Minister William Pitt, are causing a sensation on an ordinary street. In the top left, people have come to their windows to catch the display, while a street seller in the centre appears stopped in her tracks at the sight. On the right, John Bull greets the parade while a man in highland dress, representing Scotland, plays a pipe.

The Pitt figure states '1. I hope you’ll remember the Showman Mr. Bull, - you’ll not see so fine a sight every day:- The Great Russian Bear, - the small bears from Denmark and Sweden - and the famous Black Prussian eagle with two heads - all brought over in the Nelson Frigate, - pray remember the Showman, - I have often ask’d you for money for things of less moment.' John Bull replies, '2. Why it be a comical sight – sure enough - and how that little monkey leads the great Bear about.' The Scot adds '3. By St. Andrew's, I’ll play them the Embargo Lilt.'

The caricature refers to Britain’s naval victory over the Royal Dano-Norwegian Navy at the Battle of Copenhagen on 2 April 1801. This battle was a key victory in Britain’s campaign to dismantle the League of Armed Neutrality, an alliance of Russia, Prussia, Sweden and Denmark-Norway which sought to subvert British restrictions on trading with France. The British fleet at the battle was officially commanded by Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, but the victory was credited to his second-in-command Vice-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, who fought on despite Parker’s order to retreat. In the negotiations that followed the battle, the Danes agreed to Britain’s terms, under which they would not ally with France. Their agreement followed news of the assassination of Tsar Paul of Russia, who had founded the League of Armed Neutrality.

The two-headed Prussian Eagle wears a collar labelled “Prussia”. The small bears wear headhalters labelled “Denmark” and “Sweden” respectively, demonstrating their lower ranking in power. The Great Russian Bear wears a collar labelled “Paulo”, representing Russia.

On this impression, there is a ‘Bibliotheca Lindesiana’ stamp on the bottom right of the print. On the back, ‘Walter’ is written in pencil, in reference to the previous ownership. This print was originally owned by John Henry Fraser Walter, a descendant of John Walter I who founded The Times newspaper. John Henry Fraser Walter moved away from publishing to pursue a range of interests, such as establishing a shipping company sending steamers to English ports and beyond. He amassed a large collection of naval prints and other artefacts, much of which was purchased by the National Maritime Museum in 1960.