Vanity Fair Spy Cartoons
We hold a substantial stock of original Vanity Fair caricatures—full-page colour lithographs published weekly in London from 1868 to 1914. These iconic prints satirised and celebrated a wide range of public figures, from royalty and politicians to writers, scientists, sportsmen, clergy, and actors, mostly British but also international. Over 2,300 were issued, forming a vivid visual record of Victorian and Edwardian society. The most famous contributor was Leslie Ward, known as “Spy,” whose pseudonym reflected his discreet methods of studying subjects. His work accounts for more than half the prints, which are now widely referred to as “Spy Cartoons.” Other notable artists included Carlo Pellegrini (“Ape”), Guth, Lib, and “T.” Founded by Thomas Gibson Bowles, Vanity Fair used humour and sharp observation to skewer contemporary vanities, leaving behind a highly collectible and culturally rich legacy.
