The TEA-TAX-TEMPEST, or OLD TIME with his MAGIC-LANTHERN
Name/Title
The TEA-TAX-TEMPEST, or OLD TIME with his MAGIC-LANTHERNEntry/Object ID
VC.59.253 a-bDescription
This 1783 print, based on a piece from the previous decade, illustrates Father Time (at right) displaying events of the Revolutionary War to his audience, composed of figures representing America, Britain, Africa, and Asia. Through his speech bubble, Father Time narrates, "There you see the little Hot Spit Fire Teapot that has done all the Mischief - There you see the Old British Lion basking before the American Bon Fire whilst the French Cock is blowing up a Storm About his Ears to Destroy Him and his young Welpes - There you see Miss America grasping at the Cap of Liberty - There you see the British Forces be yok'd and be cramp'd flying before the Congress Men - There you see the Thirteen Stripes and Rattle-Snake exalted - There you see the Stamp'd Paper help to make the Pot Boil - There you see etc, etc." a. Print: Father Time, with large wings, and near-by scythe, leans upon globe while projecting scene of teapot exploding, with English soldiers at left, and wounded lion, at right, American troops bearing striped rattle-snake flag, Indians, rooster: Time's seated adience includes, (r) two ladies and a slave; (l) an Indian with bow; Time, in a 'balloon' sayhs: "There you see the little Hot Spit Fire Teapot that has done all the Mischief - There you see the Old British Lion basking before the American Bon Fire whilst the French Cock is blowing up a Storm About his Ears to Destroy him and his young Welphes - cockerel in center, etc.; Time's seated audience includes, at left, an Indian with bow, &, right, a slave & two ladies; in a "Baloon," Father Time says: "There you see the little Hot Spit Fire Teapot that has done all the Mischief - There you see the Old British Lion basking before the American Bon Fire whilst the French Cock is blowing up a Storm About his Ears to Destroy Him and his young Welpes - There you see Miss America grasping at the Cap of Liberty - There you see the British Forces be yok'd and be cramp'd flying before the Congress Men - There you see the Thirteen Stripes and Rattle-Snake exalted - There you see the Stamp'd Paper help to make the Pot Boil - There you see etc, etc." b. Frame: of period simple wooden molding, black-painted.Artwork Details
Medium
Wood, Paper, Wood, PaperCollection
Van Cortlandt Manor Object CollectionMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
W. HumphreyAttribution
MakerDate made
1783Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
InscriptionTranscription
See descriptionOther Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
VC.59.253 A-B
VC.59.253a-b