#9184 • Thomas Nast Harper's Weekly Political Engraving, 1881

Part of Closed Art Gallery and Decor Online Auction (timed auction by Prime Auction Solutions)

Status: Sold

Political engraving after Thomas Nast, published in Harper's Weekly and dated April 23, 1881, presenting a densely detailed satirical allegory tied to New York City politics. The composition shows a central monumental figure labeled "Spoils," flanked by symbolic figures and inscriptions including "The People" and "New York City," with the printed caption below reading "The Political Ajax Defying the Gods Split the Mud and Drown Him." The sheet retains its period newspaper margin text identifying Harper's Weekly, reinforcing its original publication context rather than a later reproduction. This black and white printed image offers strong appeal for collectors of American political satire, Gilded Age journalism, and Thomas Nast material. Fine line work, cross hatching, and the elaborate symbolic program are characteristic of illustrated weekly engravings of the period. A penciled notation at the edge identifies the work as a Thomas Nast engraving dated 1881. Size: approximately 15" H.