**Originally Listed At $300**

Thomas Nast (German-American, 1840-1902). "The Government of the City of New York," Harper's Weekly Magazine, February 9, 1867, p. 88. Political cartoonist Thomas Nast's view of New York city council under influence of Tammany Hall, the caption reading, "A Chance to Steal Without the Risk of the Penitentiary - The Government of the City of New York - What that "Ere" Honorable Body will Come To." Note "FIGHT" and "STEAL" encircled in the upper left and right corners respectively. A fascinating glimpse at this episode of American history, set in a custom mat and frame. Size of image: 13.5" W x 9" H (34.3 cm x 22.9 cm) Size of visible page: 14.75" W x 9.625" H (37.5 cm x 24.4 cm) Size of frame: 21" W x 16" H (53.3 cm x 40.6 cm)

Tammany Hall was the primary political machine of the Democratic Party that controlled New York City and New York State politics from the 1790s to the 1960s. Best known for helping Irish immigrants rise in American politics, it was also known for corruption, especially under William M. "Boss" Tweed in the mid 19th century.

Fiona Deans Halloran describes this cartoon in "Thomas Nast: The Father of Modern Political Cartoons" (2012) as follows, "On the left, a man wields a dagger in a bar fight. On the far right, a man spits into a large, ornate spittoon. In the forefront, slouch lantern-jawed Irishmen holding guns and drinking liquor. Sitting above all of this, surveying the domain, is a heavy-set man with a large revolver. Above his head is a plaque that reads, "The Steal Ring," and across the arched top of the drawing runs an explanatory line, "A chance to steal without the risk of the penitentiary." If Nast intended the seated man to be Tweed, there is no sign of it. He is a symbol rather than a caricature."

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#161939

Cartoon has not been examined outside of the frame. One can see the text on the verso through the page. Page 88 / Harpers' Weekly / February 9, 1867 visible. Gallery paper comes free on edges. Minor scuffs to frame; glass is intact. Wired for suspension.