The British Museum has added this rare hand-coloured lithograph to its two-million-strong print collection after securing it at an auction in west London.
Publican’s Sport For October, Or The Beer Bill In Full Operation is a rare impression attributed to Charles Jameson Grant (fl.1830-52) and published by Orlando Hodgson of Cloth Fair in London. The cartoon possibly refers to the various motions brought in Parliament between 1824-30, culminating in The Beerhouse Act which liberalised the regulations governing the brewing and sale of beer. The museum paid £190 (estimate £150-250) at Olympia Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) on October 23. Pre-sale, the only institution found to hold the impression was the US Library of Congress.