"The New Preventative Man", original hand colored etching. Image measures x 15" x 10-1/2" . In lower margin is the title of the work, "The New Preventative Man on the Lookout, pub. June 30, 1830 by T. McLean 26 Haymarkes" Signed William Heath on lower left corner as well as signed William Heath in top hat. This etching depicts a gentleman standing ashore with the ocean in the background. A ship sails in the background as well as a small boat with a large woman in a pink dress. A sign atop the rocks reads " Windsor Point" The gentleman states " There's been a precious gang of smugglers about this coast for a long time past, but I'll keep a sharp lookout they shan't cannon me" This image is from London and dates apprx 1830. William Heath was a well-known caricaturist from the mid-1800's. The years 1720-1820 were the heyday of smuggling and the illegal trade in goods such as tea, and luxury items like French brandy threatened to put legal tradesmen out of business. The suppression of this criminal activity fell upon the officials of the Customs and Excise service and they were commonly known as revenue men or "preventive men".
100/200 Sold $69.00
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