Titus Shapes Figure Frames

DateJanuary 19, 1778

Artist/Maker William Humphrey

MediumBlack and white etching

DimensionsOH: 10 3/8" x OW: 13 3/4"; Print: H: 7 3/4" x W: 13 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1960-887

DescriptionLower margin reads: "M.r. R.S. in.r/ Titus Shapes Figure Frames./ W.H. f/ Just arriv'd Mons.r Titus Shape who has had the Honour of performing on above 2000 Ladies of the First Nobility in France, now in Cock Spur Street, london, has imported a/ large assortment of Figure Frames, Sweating Stools, Fumigaters, Inflaters, Antiflatuents, and Reducers; by the use of which (in one month only) he forms or/ alters all manner of Shapes so perfectly as to render Pads, Plumpers, Corks, Tight Stays, and Rollers totally needless. - Those Curves which by Nature the/ Human Frame (in itself weak) inclines to, be forms into straight Lines and acute Angles. However, stiffened by Age, however encumbered with Protuberances/ Nil desperandum est under the Skillfull, at the same time Humane and Tender treatment at, Ladies your Devoted, TITUS SHAPES./ N.B. Countrey Servants & Militia Officers drilled at 10-6 a Head./ Pub. 19.th Jan.y 1778. by W. Humphrey."Label TextExplanation below print: "Mr. Rs. in Just arrived Monsr. Titus Shape who has had the Honour of performing on above 2000 Ladies of the first Nobility in France, now in Cock Spur Street, London, has imported a large Assosrment of Figure Frames, Sweating Stools, Fumigaters, Inflaters, Antiflatulents, and Reducers; by the use of which (in one month only) he forms or alters all manner of Shapes so perfectly as to render Pads, Plumpers, Corks, Tight Stays, and Rollers totally needless. Those Curves which by Nature the Human Frame (in itself weak)inclinesto, he forms into straight Lines and acute Angles, However stiffened by Age, however, encumbered with Proturberances Nil desperandum est under the Skillfull, at the same time Humane and Tender treatment at, Ladies, your Devoted, TITUE SHAPES. N.B. Country Servants & Militia Officers drilled at 10.6 a Head."ProvenanceBefore 1960, the Old Print Shop (New York, NY); 1960-present, purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).