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Prints: P1130

Title

John Liston as Paul Pry

Subject

Date

c.1820

Dimensions

height: 19cm
width: 16cm
width: 39cm

Other materials

Woodcut

Inscription/signature

Front: "PAUL PRY"

Provenance

Formerly in the collection of Professor Jim Davis, presented by his family in December 2024

Other number

E0162

This print depicts the actor John Liston in one of his most famous roles, that of Paul Pry, the country busy-body. He is depited in the chracteristic stance, wearing striped trousers, and holding a pair of spectacles in one hand, and an umbrella and hat in the other. The border is decorated with flowers.

It is possible that this print formed the front cover of a notebook, as the reverse has a printed almanac, which includes a multiplication table, Arithmetical table and some notes on Sterling Money and Socttish money. Around the outside are mottos and sayings. It is possible this was self-printed by a stationers, as Paul Pry was a hugely popular and well recognised character, his image would have been very commercial, and could be found on snuffboxes, toby jugs, handkerchiefs - his image was even stamped on butter.
 
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