“Title-page, First Edition” (“Punch,” 1840) (original) (raw)

Title-page

William Newman (1817-1870)

Week ending 17 July 1841

Punch, Vol.I (1841)

Newman shows a jovial Mr Punch stringing up a grotesque devil, to illustrate the new journal's agenda: to attack "the principle of evil by increasing the means of cultivating the good," a message soon spelled out in writing. Ironically, it takes a specific stand against the death penalty. [Commentary continues below; mouse over the text for links.]

• Whole front cover

Image scan and commentary by Jacqueline Banerjee

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