Books, Manuscripts and Ephemera from The Lawbook Exchange
- by Michael Stillman
Thomas Nast's “Boss” Tweed.
Item 111 is a 15” x 10” woodcut of the most notable of connections between a cartoonist and a politician. From Harper'sWeekly, January 6, 1872, it is Thomas Nast's depiction of legendary New York boss William Tweed. It is captioned CantheLawReachHim?-theDwarfandtheGiantThief. The dwarf is a law officer, the giant “Boss” Tweed. Tweed controlled New York City politics as head of the Tammany Hall political organization. He funneled millions of dollars (the equivalent of billions today) to himself, his family and cohorts. It was one of the greatest examples of municipal corruption ever seen. The cartoonist Nast lambasted the corrupt politician in his cartoons, and eventually, the tide turned against Tweed. He was finally convicted and died in prison in 1878. $1,500.
Item 113 is a 22” x 16 1/2” hand-colored aquatint of TheTrialof “BillBurn,” circa 1838. Burns was the first person to be prosecuted under England's 1822 Act to Prevent the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle (Martin's Act). Burns was taken to court on allegations of beating his donkey. The prosecution brought the donkey into court to serve as a visual witness. The engraving shows the donkey being led into court, while most in the room look on in amusement. $1,500.
