Georgian Satirical Etching, (Wetting an Irish Commission) Jones & Co., London, circa.1820

Original Hand-Coloured Georgian Satirical Etching – “Wetting an Irish Commission” – Jones & Co., London – c.1820

A scarce and historically significant original hand-coloured satirical etching titled “Wetting an Irish Commission”, published by Jones & Co., London, circa 1820 during the Georgian/Regency period.

This lively military caricature depicts the traditional custom of “wetting a commission”—the celebration held when an officer received a new commission, usually marked by generous quantities of whiskey punch and good humour. The scene offers a fascinating glimpse into British and Irish military life and the social customs of the early nineteenth century.

The print is signed in the plate “Marks Fecit”, the Latin term meaning “Marks made (or executed) this.” Extensive research strongly indicates that this refers to John (J.) Lewis Marks (c.1796–1855), one of London’s leading Regency caricaturists, etchers and print publishers. Marks specialised in hand-coloured satirical engravings, military subjects and political caricatures during exactly this period and worked with several prominent London publishers before publishing independently.

The publisher’s imprint “London Published by Jones & Co.” appears below the image. Jones & Co. were one of London’s important print publishers during the Regency period and issued numerous satirical prints and illustrated works.

A matching example of “Wetting an Irish Commission” is held in the National Army Museum, London, where it is catalogued as:

“Wetting an Irish Commission” – Coloured etching after Marks, published by Jones & Company, c.1820.

This institutional record independently confirms the title, publisher, medium and approximate date of publication.

Research has also established that this composition was later reproduced in Pierce Egan’s celebrated Real Life in Ireland, one of the nineteenth century’s most famous illustrated books documenting Irish social life. This demonstrates the popularity and historical importance of the image, with the Jones & Co. issue representing one of the earliest known publications of the composition.

Details

Title: Wetting an Irish Commission
Date: Circa 1820
Medium: Original hand-coloured etching
Artist/Engraver: Attributed to John (J.) Lewis Marks (c.1796–1855), signed “Marks Fecit”
Publisher: Jones & Co., London
Original hand colouring
Professionally framed and ready to hang
Excellent decorative and historical display piece

This is a wonderful example of early nineteenth-century British and Irish satirical printmaking and would make an excellent addition to any collection of Georgian art, Regency caricatures, Irish historical prints, military memorabilia, or antique engravings.

Comparable examples are held in museum collections, and surviving original hand-coloured impressions are becoming increasingly difficult to source.

Collection preferred due to the glazed frame, although insured courier delivery can be arranged at the buyer’s expense.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.