Home > Popular Themes > Politics
Anti-Corn Law campaign
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Anti-Corn Law campaign
Buckingham Badger, the Monopolist, compared to Cheap John, the Free Trader, Anti-Corn Law campaign Date: 1842
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 32247788
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1840s 1842 Badger Bread Buckingham Campaign Cheap Compared Edited Free Livesey Monopoly Price Prices Satire Struggle Trader Anti Corn
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Mary Evans Prints Online
> New Images July 2023
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print, titled "Buckingham Badger, the Monopolist, compared to Cheap John, the Free Trader," is a powerful satirical representation of the intense political struggle over the Anti-Corn Law campaign that gripped Britain during the 1840s, specifically in 1842. The image, created by the renowned cartoonist Joseph Livesey, masterfully employs symbolism and humor to convey the complex economic and social issues at play. At the center of the print, we find Buckingham Badger, a monopolist, depicted as a menacing, large badger, seated on a throne, surrounded by a cornucopia of produce. He wears a crown adorned with a sheaf of wheat and a scepter topped with a mallet and a pair of scales. The monopolist's name is a reference to the Duke of Buckingham, a prominent figure in the protectionist movement, who sought to maintain high prices for agricultural produce through tariffs and other protective measures. On the left side of the print, we encounter Cheap John, the Free Trader, represented as a humble, thin man, pushing a wheelbarrow filled with sacks labeled "Cheap Bread." Cheap John's name is a nod to the free trade movement, which advocated for lower prices for imported goods and, ultimately, cheaper bread for the working class. The print's title and the accompanying text emphasize the stark contrast between the two characters, with the monopolist exploiting the working class through high food prices and the free trader seeking to alleviate their suffering. The struggle between these two opposing forces was a significant theme in the political landscape of early Victorian Britain, with the Anti-Corn Law campaign ultimately leading to the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846. This print is an invaluable historical document, providing a unique and engaging perspective on the economic and political debates of the time. Its satirical nature not only entertains but also sheds light on the complex issues that shaped the course of British history.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
