Tom Pains Effegy or the Rights of a Sedtious Poltroon

Date1793

Publisher John Aiken

MediumHand colored etching

DimensionsOH: 11 1/4" X OW: 15 3/4"; plate: 9" X 13 3/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1960-121

DescriptionLower margin reads: "Pub. Jan.y 16, 1793 by J. Ailken No. 14 Castle St Leicester Fields/ Tom PAINS EFFEGY or the Rights of a SEDTIOUS POLTROON"Label TextTom Paine, with his bill on the Rights of Man in hand and Justice around his waist, is being burned at the stake. Demons fly around his head. The British and a Scotsman in kilts are feeding Paine's other phamphlets and tracts into the fire to keep it burning. Paine's expression is one of reconciliation. One says, "By Jo-us we will out cow him is the Devil make him. Dance to the wine of Ca-tool. George for ever, George foe ever." One figure using the long pole to stir up the fire says, "Yes Yes he stirr'd us up now we will stir him up & let the Devil make a San collotte of him." The Scotsman says, "Come let us ddance & sing. Long live our noble King God Save the King." In the background the reply "The King & Constitution for every. Huza-Huza."ProvenanceBefore 1960, the Old Print Shop (New York, NY); 1960-present, purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).