A Race! A Race!

[London]: Published 1825 by Moon, Boys and Graves, 64 Pall Mall. A print, measuring 19.75mm X 16mm. Mounted on a heavy card stock, which measures 25mm X 21mm. Some yellowing of print, but very good. The backing board has a thick residue of yellowed glue all around the edges, likely leftover from when it was mounted in a frame. Accompanied by some very brittle and yellowed glassine. The print is marked "Proof" in the lower left corner. This edition somewhat at variance with that described by the British Museum. Their copy bears a publication date of 1828, and gives the publisher's address as "6 Pall Mall". Also the script in which the title and accompanying rhyme are written is in an entirely different hand, with some letters capitalized on their copy, which are in lower case on this copy. Since Moon, Boys and Graves acquired the stock of Hurst, Robinson after their bankruptcy in 1825, it is not unrealistic to presume that this print was created by Hurst, Robinson, but not issued under their imprint. A satirical illustration by Landseer, depicting two monkeys riding an ass and racing with another monkey on horseback, all three in human clothing. A rare image, not included in Landseer's MONKEYANA, which was published by Moon, Boys & Graves in 1827-28.