Thomas Rowlandson: A Bill of Fare for Bailey Epicures (Old Menu Card)
This uncolored menu cover for a Dublin-based restaurant does not have the value of colored prints sold online for over $ 200. It seems however rare to find one with the menu on the back…
The original image was drawn by Woodward (1765-1809) whose name appears as ‘Woodward Del’ in the right hand corner (Del. Identifies the original designer). Credit for it goes to cartoonist and satirist Thomas Rowlandson (1757-1827) whose name appears as ‘Rowlandson Sc’ in the left hand corner (Sc. Identifies the engraver who created the original print from the design or drawing). As noted in the center below the image, it was published October 26, 1808, by Thomas Tigg of no. 111 Cheapside.
This of course is not an original print, but a reproduction for The Bailey menu, probably dating to the 1950s or 1960s. The menu on the back for The Bailey is in faded red and blue, with one item crossed out (presumably sold out already). Prices are pre-1971, with shillings and pence noted (for example 8/6 means 8 shillings and 6 pence).
This illustration by depicts six women representing different cuts of meat, a satirical cartoon that once went over just fine. Maybe not so well today!
Ours is missing one corner, has a tear and creases as well as a bit of spotting on one side. There is also tape on the back. We would not have posted it but it seems there is some demand for this online, so why not?
H 11” x 14”