Art, Myth & Old Masters · 19th century
€ 160
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Chromolithograph on cream paper. Very light foxing in the outer margins, well away from the printed image. Colors are vibrant and well-preserved. No tears or repairs.
This original chromolithograph features Captain Edward Cuttle, a colorful character from Charles Dickens’s novel Dombey and Son, first published in 1846–48. Known for his eccentric seafaring ways, oversized coat, and warm-hearted loyalty, Captain Cuttle is depicted here with his signature hook - hand and wide sailor’s trousers, striking a thoughtful pose with one hand in his pocket and the other raised in gesture.
CAPT. CUTTLE
" had been a pilot, or a skipper, or a privateers man, or all three perhaps and was a very salt looking man indeed. ( Dombey and Son - Chapter IV )
This artwork was created by the illustrator known as Kyd, the pseudonym of Joseph Clayton Clarke (1856 – 1937) whose humorous and expressive interpretations of Dickensian figures made him one of the most iconic visual interpreters of Dickens’s work in the late 19th century. The print was issued by Raphael Tuck & Sons as part of the series titled The Characters of Charles Dickens, printed at the Fine Art Works in London and distributed internationally through their London, Paris, and New York branches.
Kyd’s watercolour-style drawings were reproduced as high-quality chromolithographs and offered collectors a vivid gallery of Dickens’s fictional world. The fine detail, warm tones, and whimsical charm of this print capture both the character’s comic appeal and enduring humanity.
This piece is one of a set originally accompanied by decorative title pages and literary quotes, and was meant to be framed individually or collected in a portfolio. Captain Cuttle’s expressive pose and distinctive attire make this one of the more memorable prints in the series.
Condition report:
Chromolithograph on cream paper. Very light foxing in the outer margins, well away from the printed image. Colors are vibrant and well-preserved. No tears or repairs.
Framing tips:
Works well in a dark wood, black, or antique gold frame. Pair with a warm white or light ivory mat. Looks excellent alongside other character prints from the same series to form a Dickens-themed gallery wall.
Technique: Chromolithograph
Artist: Joseph Clayton Clarke (Kyd)
Publisher: Raphael Tuck & Sons, London, Paris & New York
Date: Circa 1889
