1889 RARE Large Antique Handcoloured Double Page Engraving Our Artist's Misadventures in Manila, Philippines Spanish Era British Artist

There are 19 people smoking in this print. Can you find them all?

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An antique handcoloured double page print of a British Artist's Misadventures in Manila. From the February 25, 1888 (date shown at top of print; not in photo) issue of The Graphic, a British weekly illustrated newspaper with immense influence on the art world (even Vincent Van Gogh was a fan). The issue date is printed at the top centre of the page. IMPORTANT NOTE: We obtain many of our engravings as they are and cannot vouch for the historical accuracy of colours, particularly of the military uniforms.

Size of image: ca. 13.5 inches x 21 inches (34 cm x 53.5 cm)

Size of sheet: ca. 15.3 inches x 23.10 inches (38.9 cm x 58.7 cm)

These sketches of 9 different vignettes show the unfolding Misadventures of a British Artist, initially thought suspicious, but was actually only sketching. No one had ever before been seen sketching in Manila.

But more importantly, the sketches show life in Manila in the 1800s when the country was still under Spanish rule. Smoking was apparently the norm, and there are 19 people smoking in the 9 vignettes. Even the scruffy child in vignette no. 7 (with the horse-drawn carriage) is smoking a cigarette! The sketches also shows glimpses of local Spanish architecture, as well as a touch of Chinoiserie in the cafe in the lower right vignette.

The various vignettes are:

1. Our Artist is Observed Walking and not smoking. He incurs the natural suspicion of the authorities.

2. He is Followed, and Observed to be Sketching

3. Still at it. “He must be arrested”

4. Cornered

5. The Bold Gendarmes are Amused

6. Arrested

7. He Explains the Matter to Some Friends whom He Meets on the Way to the Police station.

8. At the station house: Don John is Perplexed by the Novelty of the Case

9. And Apologies Next Day in a Café, thus “Closing the Incident;” “No One”, he says, “Has ever before been seen Sketching in Manila

Size of image: ca. 13.5 inches x 21 inches (34 cm x 53.5 cm)

Size of sheet: ca. 15.3 inches x 23.10 inches (38.9 cm x 58.7 cm)

In very good condition. There is text en verso [this was from an 1889 British weekly newspaper]. The full print is shown in the first photo. Other photos show details from the print.

This is an original engraving from 1888, not a reproduction! Bananastrudel sells only originals.

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