The Tea-Tax-Tempest, or Old Time with his Magick Lanthern
Anonymous, British, 18th century British
Publisher William Humphrey British
Not on view
This print is a reduced and altered copy of an allegorical mezzotint by John Dixon, published in London in 1774, just before the American Revolution. Father Time holds up a magic lantern (an early image projector) to reveal a view of the destruction of Britain, as America sits in the shadows. The present image is less heavily shaded than its source, and a large text bubble has been added next to Time, saying, "There you see the little Hot Spit Fire Tea pot that has done all the Mischief - There you see the Old British Lion basking before the American Bon Fire whilst the French Cock is blowing up a Storm about his Ears to Destroy him and his young Welpes - there you See Miss America grasping at the Cap of Liberty - There you see The British Forces be yok'd and be cramp'd flying before the Congress Men - There you see the thirteen Stripes and Rattle-Snake exalted - There you see the Stamp'd Paper help to Make the Pot Boil - There you See &c &c &c."