Collection is open to research.
The collection is comprised of eight sketches and notes by Cruikshank dated 1833, 1845, 1852, 1874, and undated. The collection also contains seven autographed letters to Cruikshank, and one un-mailed mourning envelope addressed in Cruikshank's hand, with his signature for return address. The letters total 13 pages are on matters of business, arrangements for printing his drawings, passes to exhibits of his works, and the like, 1860-1872. Special Collections and Archives also has a significant collection of books illustrated by George Cruikshank -- many of which were published in the 19th century.
George Cruikshank collection, Collection # M 193, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
There are no restrictions.
George Cruikshank, son of caricaturist Isaac Cruikshank, was born in London, England in 1792 and died there in 1878. He began his career as a social/political caricaturist in 1811. Between 1819 and 1821, Cruikshank produced a series of colored etchings followed by a collection of comic stories in four volumes. He was considered the foremost illustrator of such classics as Grimms' Fairy Tales, Scott's novels and Dicken's Oliver Twist. In 66 years of work, Cruikshank illustrated more than 200 books. His work, wrote one reviewer of a biography of Cruikshank, "recorded, commented on, and satirized his times to such an extent that they have frequently been used to represent the age."
One sheet consisting of a portion of a book wrapper from Debenham and Freebody, postmarked 28 December, 1874 in London, and addressed to Cruikshank. On the blank verso Cruikshank has filled the sheet with a list of fifteen magazines, newspapers, and editors, and marked numbers and check marks by the names as if keeping an account of the distribution of some publican. Two ink drawings appear also.
One sheet, consisting of an envelope that has been unfolded, addressed to Cruikshank and postmarked 6 January, 1874. On blank surface Cruikshank has made a list of fourteen names. Two ink drawings appear as well.
One sheet, consisting of a letter from a Mr. C.W. Caggan warning Cruikshank that he would be calling on him shortly, dated 27 February, 1852. On the verso Cruikshank had penciled the title
One leaf consisting of a letter written to Cruikshank from an author who requested him to submit a paper to
One sheet, folded to four pages, the first and last pages filled with notes, and two pencil portraits. One page contains Cruikshank's notes for a lecture on railway accidents with notes like
This letter by Cruikshank was located in
Original receipt from Bradbury and Evans to Cruikshank regarding their publication of
3 1/2 x 4 1/2, with three addresses in ink and three pencil sketches, and an ink drawing.
Seven autographed letters to Cruikshank, and one un-mailed mourning envelope addressed in Cruikshank's hand, with his signature for return address. The letters total 13 pages are on matters of business, arrangements for printing his drawings, passes to exhibits of his works, and the like, 1860-1872.