Mr. Weller Senior from Pickwick Papers – Victorian Lithograph by Kyd, c.1889
€ 160
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1889
Sheet size
25.4 × 18.4 cm (10.0 × 7.2 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BGCL-001-17
Condition
Original chromolithograph on cream wove paper. Some faint foxing visible mostly in the margins; colors remain rich and clean within the image area. The paper is in very good condition with no tears or creases.
About this sheet
Mr. Weller Senior from Pickwick Papers – Victorian Lithograph by Kyd, c.1889
This vibrant Victorian chromolithograph features the character Mr. Tony Weller, famously known as Mr. Weller Senior, from Charles Dickens’s *The Pickwick Papers* (1836–37). The artwork was drawn by Joseph Clayton Clarke, under the pseudonym “Kyd,” and was published by Raphael Tuck & Sons around 1889 as part of a series illustrating Dickensian characters.
Mr. Weller Senior, the jovial and opinionated father of the faithful servant Sam Weller, is a beloved supporting character in Dickens's first novel. He is known for his Cockney wit, longwinded advice, and his colourful anecdotes about the "veckles of the vehickle"—coaches and cabs—which he drives. In this illustration, Kyd depicts him with exaggerated charm and warmth: a rotund figure dressed in striped waistcoat and breeches, knee boots, and a long overcoat with large buttons. He puffs cheerfully on a long clay pipe while holding a glass, perhaps of punch or porter, conveying his relaxed, sociable personality.
The detail in this chromolithograph is exceptional—note the rich coloring in the scarf, the expressive face, and the smoky effect from the pipe. Kyd was known for his theatrical, caricature-like style, yet he imbued each portrait with character depth, making these images favorites among Dickens collectors and late Victorian audiences.
Condition report: Original chromolithograph on cream wove paper. Some faint foxing visible mostly in the margins; colors remain rich and clean within the image area. The paper is in very good condition with no tears or creases.
Framing tips: This characterful print pairs beautifully with a dark green or red wood frame to highlight the warmth of the subject’s coat and scarf. A cream or slightly aged white mat will provide a soft contrast and allow the figure to stand out boldly. Ideal for a study, library, or Dickens-themed collection.
Technique: Chromolithograph Artist: Joseph Clayton Clarke (“Kyd”) Publisher: Raphael Tuck & Sons, London, Paris & New York Date: Circa 1889 Sheet size: approximately 36.5 x 26.5 cm Image size: approximately 27 x 18 cm
