Sayer, James "The Rise of the Stocks"

James Sayer. “The Rise of the Stocks.”

London: Thomas Cornell, 29 May 1786. Etching and aquatint. 9 7/8 x 7 ½ (neat lines). Laid down; else, very good condition.

In 1786 former Prime Minister Frederick North, 2^nd Earl of Guilford and Charles James Fox were in opposition to the Parliamentary majority of Prime Minister William Pitt, the Younger.

In this caricature, a bearded Jew is showing the horrified Fox and North that the value of stocks is rising, which was helpful to the incumbent Pitt administration.

James Sayer (or Sayers) (1748-1823), having become wealthy by inheritance, relocated from Norfolk to London and applied himself to political caricature. Asa devoted supporter of the younger Pitt, Sayer took particular glee in attacking Fox, who admitted that his public image was damaged thereby.