Toots from Dombey & Son – Dickens Character 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-001-19
Condition
Original 19th-century chromolithograph on cream wove paper. Slight scattered foxing, mostly outside image area. Very faint toning to margins. Colors remain strong and clear. A very good example, suitable for framing.
About this sheet
Toots from Dombey & Son – Dickens Character Lithograph by Kyd, c.1889 This charming chromolithograph depicts the affable and eccentric character Toots from *Dombey and Son* (1846–48) by Charles Dickens. Rendered by British illustrator Joseph Clayton Clarke, who signed his works under the pseudonym “Kyd,” this image belongs to a celebrated late 19th-century series of caricature portraits of Dickensian characters, published by Raphael Tuck & Sons around 1889.
Toots is a former schoolmate of Paul Dombey Jr., and though initially portrayed as dimwitted and awkward, he evolves into one of the most endearing figures in the novel. Shy, sincere, and hopelessly in love with Florence Dombey, Toots is remembered for his good heart and comically earnest mannerisms. Clarke captures his bashful charm perfectly, exaggerating his long frame and hunched posture, with his hands stuffed nervously in his pockets and an anxious expression on his face.
The composition highlights Toots’s lanky figure and unfashionable elegance: white trousers, double-breasted vest, brown tailcoat, and a cravat—all rendered in soft but vibrant chromolithographic tones. The warm background wash of earth and peach tones subtly contrasts with his pale trousers, helping his form stand out on the creamy paper.
Joseph Clayton Clarke’s caricatures were widely admired for their ability to combine humor and humanity, and his Dickens characters have become iconic illustrations of literary history. This print is a fine example of his style—witty, theatrical, and finely printed.
Condition report: Original 19th-century chromolithograph on cream wove paper. Slight scattered foxing, mostly outside image area. Very faint toning to margins. Colors remain strong and clear. A very good example, suitable for framing.
Framing tips: Pair this piece with a narrow black or dark rosewood frame and a cream or parchment-colored mat to echo the tone of the paper and highlight the subtle coloring. A slight burgundy or rust-colored accent in the matting would reflect the character’s scarf and add visual interest.
Technique: Chromolithograph Artist: Joseph Clayton Clarke (“Kyd”) Publisher: Raphael Tuck & Sons, London, Paris & New York Date: Circa 1889 Sheet size: approx. 36.5 x 26.5 cm Image size: approx. 27 x 18 cm
