Peter Fig the little grocer, commonly call'd Count Fig (BM 1868,0808.5903)

A grocer stands full face in his warehouse, legs astride, hands in his breeches pockets; his apron is looped up, his hair is fashionably dressed, and he wears ruffles. He is very ugly with broad flattened and upturned nose and large mouth. Behind him (left) is a hogshead of 'Sugar', inscribed 'PW', and an open tea-chest; a pair of scales hangs from a post. On the right large canisters are ranged on two shelves inscribed '1 Hyson, 2 Green, 3 Souchong, 5 Coffee, 4 Congo'. Beneath the title is engraved:

'Peter! when I a Baboon see,

It always makes me think of thee;

Thy Face & Shape's so very like,

Who is the Man it does not Strike ?

Or where ye placed on India's Shore,

You'd have these Creatures by the Score,

Chattering thy Graces one to the other

And Hail thee instantly a Brother.' 1789

Etching

satirical print great britain british museum british art satirical prints in the british museum

1789

British Museum

https://www.britishmuseum.org/

public domain