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Cruikshank’s London Almanack, 1835

July 31, 2013
by the gentle author

In 1835, George Cruikshank drew these illustrations of the notable seasons and festivals of the year in London for The Comic Almanack published by Charles Tilt of Fleet St. Produced from 1835 – 53, distinguished literary contributors included William Makepeace Thackeray and Henry Mayhew, but I especially enjoy George Cruikshank’s drawings for their detailed observation of the teeming street life of the capital. (Click on any of these images to enlarge)

JANUARY Everybody freezes

FEBRUARY Valentine’s Day

MARCH March winds

APRIL April showers

MAY – Sweeps on May Day

JUNE At the Royal Academy

JULY At Vauxhall Gardens

AUGUST – Oyster day

SEPTEMBER – Bartholomew Fair

OCTOBER – Return to Town

NOVEMBER – Penny for the Guy

DECEMBER Christmas

You may also enjoy

George Cruikshank’s Comic Alphabet

Tom & Jerry’s Life in London

More of Tom & Jerry’s Life in London

The Microcosm of London

The Microcosm of London II

6 Responses leave one →
  1. July 31, 2013

    I particularly like the image for March, which I trust is a gross exaggeration…..

  2. Libby Hall permalink
    July 31, 2013

    Wonderful treat to be able to enlarge and stare at these marvellous illustrations – and to learn of events I’d never heard of, like ‘Sweeps on May Day’ and ‘Oyster Day’.

  3. July 31, 2013

    Vauxhall Gardens haven’t changed at all!

  4. Vicky permalink
    July 31, 2013

    I love these, particularly April Showers. What is the contraption on the pavement to the right with the sign ‘Showers Bath’? I’m puzzled. Cruickshank having fun?

  5. Greg Tingey permalink
    July 31, 2013

    Sweeps has been revived in Rochester & London.
    A jack-in-the-green accompanied by dancers.
    Some, because of the sweeps’ association are “blacked-up”
    Which confuses some idots, who “think” it’s “racist” the twerps.

  6. Classof65 permalink
    August 1, 2013

    Anyone who has read Mayhew’s “London Labour and the London Poor” would recognize all the drawings. Thank you so much for posting them!

    Best regards,
    Classof65

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