| Browse this collection | This entry describes an individual archive record or file. Click here to browse the full catalogue for this collection |
| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D5459/4/9 |
| Former Reference | D5459/3/119 |
| Title | Boot Polishers |
| Date | 1 May 1801 |
| Description | Two young men polishing their boots. The man on the left is seated on a stool and holds a hessian boot in one hand, which he is buffing with a brush. He says to the other:
"Sir - I will maintain it before any Court in Europe, that the patent Japan Liquid Blacking is the only genuine invention for polishing boots and shoes. - I could dwell forever on its inestimable virtues - suffice to say it gives that elegant, and beautiful jet gloss, so long wish'd for by the enlighten'd leaders of Taste and Fashion."
His companion is standing on the right. He is wearing long trousers, a striped waist coat, jean-de-brie coat, cravat and round hat. Like the other man he has his hair in a brutus crop. he is admiring his hessian boots, and replies:
"Well I dont even envy your Skiffy's or Matty's, I think I can boast as good as polish as the best of them, and I use nothing but pure Brunswick Blacking D--n me!"
On the floor next to the stool is a bottle of 'PATENT LIQUID BLACKING', a cat looking at a boot, a paper inscribed 'Society for the encouragement of arts [...] premium for the best blacking [...] and gold medal', a 'POLISHING BRUSH' and a 'TREATISE ON BLACKING'.
Available on CD 166. |
| Level | Item |
| Repository | Derbyshire Record Office |
| Artist | Rowlandson, Thomas (1756-1827) |
| Archive Creator | George Murgatroyd Woodward (1765-1809), artist and writer |
| Further Information | Publd May 1 1801 by R Ackermann No 101 Strand
Attribution to Rowlandson is based on style. It is possible that it was designed by Woodward.
BM Sat 9755, 'A Pair of Polished Gentlemen', by Gillray, also discusses tha mania for highly-polished hessian boots. |
| Physical Description | Hand-coloured print. Size 380 x 300 mm. |
| Copies | A digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office. |
| Image | 
|