A General Group

London: Vanity Fair, 1900. Leslie Ward (Spy). Color lithograph. Sheet measures 15 x 21.25."<br/><br/> This supplement to Vanity Fair titled "A General Group", dates to November 29, 1900 and features the caricatures of British military officers - Lord Roberts, Sir Redvers Buller, Lord Kitchener, General Archibald Hunter, General French, General Pole-Carew, Sir George White, Lord Dundonald, General Baden-Powell, Colonel Plumer, Sir Frederick Carrington, and General Hector MacDonald.<br><br> On the day that this caricature was published Field Marshal Lord Roberts formally relinquished command of the forces in South Africa to Major General Lord Kitchener, who was immediately promoted lieutenant-general with the local rank of general.<br><br>The original artist was Sir Leslie Ward, otherwise known as "Spy," who was a British cartoonist celebrated for his satiric portraits. The print is in good condition with minor wear along the original folds and some foxing. <br><br> The British Vanity Fair (1868--1914), a compendium and often critique of Victorian culture, is best known today for its lithographed caricatures of contemporary figures and issues. Its portrait series pictured and described--with both praise and caricature--prominent Victorian and Edwardian politicians, lawyers, doctors, and similar professionals. Their images, often accompanied literary and political articles, cultural reviews, serialized fiction, and other standard weekly magazine features. As the publication grew, it turned increasingly toward gossip as a topic.<br/><br/>