In Place - Ha! Ha! Hah!

Date1769

Designed and engraved by John Collet (1725?-1780)

Publisher Robert Sayer (1725-1794)

Publisher John Smith fl. 1750 - 1789

OriginEngland, London

MediumHand-colored etching and engraving

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1980-189

DescriptionLower margin reads: "J. Collett inv.t et del. / In Place_ha! ha! hah!./ Published as the Act directs Nov.r 9.th 1769, by Rob.t Sayer N.o 53 in Fleet Street & Jn.o Smith No. 35 in Cheapside, London."Label TextThis print is one of a pair of political satirical prints that address corruption in political office and the dichotomies of ideology over money and power (see 1980-190 "Out of Place and Unpension'd"). The title, "In Place" suggests that the subject is a "placeman" which was a derogatory term for someone appointed to an office as a reward for their support or influence. He has recieved a pension from the governmen by supporting John Stuart, 3rd Lord of Bute and the King. He has a piece of paper that reads "An humble Address to the K(ing)." He points over at three bottles of alcohol labelled "Burg.y", "Claret", and "Champ.ne." and pineapples on a table. A portrait of John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute hangs on the wall behind him, a contrast to the portrait of John Wilkes (1975-188), the radical MP from Middlesex in England who spoke out about the British Government in the 1760s and 1770s, that hangs on the wall of the companion print 1980-189.ProvenanceBefore 1980, Bookpress, Ltd. (Williamsburg, VA); 1980-present, purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).