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Title(s):
To be seen alive! [graphic] : the wonderful Cumberland.
Published/Created:
[Scotland?] : [s.n.], [1824?]
Physical Description:
1 print : woodcut, with text in letterpress ; 27 x 40 cm.
Holdings:
Rare Books and Manuscripts
Folio A 2011 26
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Fund
[Request]
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Classification:
Prints
Notes:
BAC: British Art Center copy inscribed: Mr. Gate's yard, Lowther Street, Carlisle. Has a contemporary broadside (described above) pasted to the reverse.
Poster advertising the appearance of "Fat Charlie," an uncommonly large bull raised by Sir William Maxwell of Monteith, Galloway. The poster features a large woodcut illustration of the bull, depicted with an implausibly large head.
According to contemporary accounts, the bull was "was considered so singular, that he was carried through the kingdom in a caravan, exhibited as a public spectacle, and was well known to the world by the name of 'fat Charlie.' He was the produce of a bull of the far-famed Tees-water kind, and a cow of the equally famous Collingham breed, and was about eight years old when brought to the shambles. The four quarters weighed 1680 lb. The tallow weighed 113 lb. and the hide 120 lb. and exclusive of the offal the beast weighed 2013 lb. Through the rib the thickness measured 9 1/2 inches, and the fat down the back 4 1/2 and the back bone 5." Cf. New England Farmer, 26 November 1824, p. 139.
A contemporary broadside--pasted to the reverse of the British Art Center copy of the print--notes: "Not equalled in Great Britain. Fat Charlie the wonderful bullock, nearly 400 stones weight! Seven years old. This animal, of perfect symmetry and beauty, has been fed on grass, hay, and turnip, entirely; never had oil cake or corn; was never tied up or stall-fed, but kept constantly in the field, summer and winter, till last year--when, getting a little lame, he was put into a yard, and fed and treated the same as other yard-kept cattle, at Monreith, Gallowayshire. He is now to be seen in a caravan on the mound. Admittance, ladies and gentlemen, 1s. Working people, 6d. Children, 3d." The British Art Center copy of the broadside is inscribed: Edinburgh, 13th Aug., 1824.
Subject Terms:
Bulls -- Pictorial works.
Cattle -- Breeding -- Great Britain.
Cattle -- Feeding and feeds -- Great Britain.
Cattle -- Pictorial works.
Curiosities and wonders -- Great Britain.
Maxwell, William, 1779–1838.
Form/Genre:
Broadsides.
Posters.
Woodcuts -- 1824.
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