"Alas, poor Leslie!" [graphic].
1940
Items
Details
Title
"Alas, poor Leslie!" [graphic].
Published
[London] : [Published at the Office], [1940]
Description
1 print : black and white ; 28 x 22 cm
Associated name
Shepard, Ernest H. (Ernest Howard), 1879-1976, artist.
Glasgow Provincial Committee for the Training of Teachers Library, former owner.
Glasgow Provincial Committee for the Training of Teachers Library, former owner.
Summary
Cartoon of Neville Chamberlain, portrayed as Hamlet in the graveyard scene. Caption title: "'Alas, poor Leslie!'" Neville Chamberlain/Hamlet stands in the center of an indistinct landscape, dressed in Renaissance era doublet, tights, and cap. To his right in the image is the black-and-white striped pole of a Belisha beacon. Chamberlain holds the globe lamp from the beacon in his outstretched right hand, his left hand held at his chest, as he declaims toward the globe lamp in a parody of Hamlet's line "Alas, poor Yorick..." Artist's name in lower right corner: E.H. Shepard.
Note
Cartoon appeared on page 71 of the January 17, 1940 issue of Punch (volume 198). The cartoon is a reference to Leslie Hore-Belisha, who resigned as Chamberlain's Secretary of War in January 1940 rather than be transferred to another position; Hore-Belisha had served as Secretary of War from 1937-1940, but had faced opposition from the leadership of the British Army, as well as anti-Semitism from other political figures. (Hore-Belisha had previously served as Secretary of Transport from 1934-1937, during which time "Belisha beacons," black-and-white striped poles with amber globe lamps atop, were installed at pedestrian intersections to improve visibility.)
In
Punch.
Genre/form
Cartoons (humorous images)
Place of creation/publication
Great Britain -- England -- London.
Item Details
Call number
Sh.Misc. 2307, page 71
Folger-specific note
Bound in a volume with other issues from Punch, volume 198. Dark red cloth boards, stamped in gold, black, and blind. All edges marbled. Bookplate: "Glasgow Provincial Committee. Training Center Library. Reference book (not to be removed from library)."
Folger accession
269823