Product
£75.00
Publisher
published by Caulfield and Herbert
Place
London
Date
august 8th 1794
Synopsis
Emblematic costume portrait of the 17th century london chimney sweep, john cottington, who was also a notorious pickpocket and highwayman, the youngest of 19 children, who was executed at smithfield round in 1655. this despite his early success in his trade, gaining a reputation for fine living, earning him the name of mulld-sake, or mul-sack, after the preference for mulled sack, or fortified wine. he soon descended into a life of crime, first as pickpocket, then as highwayman, at which he was hugely successful, before resorting to murder. he fled abroad, to the court in exile of charles ii, where he hoped to glean enough intelligence to barter for a pardon from oliver cromwell on his return. but the plan failed and he was executed at the age of 45. the print was originally issued by compton holland c.1650,
Item Description
Trimmed to plate make image and text 23.5 x 14.5 cm Lettering Mulld; sake. I walke the Strand, and Westminster; and scorne to march i'th'cittie, though I beare the horne. my feather, and my yellow band accord to proue me courtier: my boote, spurr, and sword: my smokinge pape, scarfe, garter, rose on shoe; showe my braue minde t'affect what gallants doe. I singe, dance, drinke, and merrily passe the day, and like a chimney sweepe all care away
[Stock No. 28151]
