Rare 17 x 12 satirical engraving after Benjamin Wilson's celebrated political cartoon, "The Repeal. Or the Funeral Procession, of Miss Americ-Stamp," published in London by Mark Baskett in 1766. Captioned in the lower border, the cartoon celebrates the repeal of the Stamp Act of 1765, which gave birth to the famed Revolution-era slogan, 'No taxation without representation.' The image is filled with visual puns and mischievous political allusions, showing Dr. William Scott, Lord Grenville, Lord Bute, the Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General, and a host of other political British figures mourning the repeal of the short-lived Stamp Act, portrayed as a tiny coffin. In very good condition, with overall creasing, and damage to the borders which could easily be matted out if desired.
In 'Impolitical Prints,' esteemed collector R. T. Haines Halsey wrote that 'The Repeal' quickly became 'the most popular satirical print ever issued.' Within three days of its initial issue on March 18, 1766, the publisher was forced to take out an advertisement asking for patience as he could not keep up with demand. Even the great Ben Franklin weighed in on the piece, commenting in a letter to his wife: 'There are some Droll Prints in the Box, which were given me by the Painter…I think he was wrong to put in Lord Bute, who had nothing to do with the Stamp Act. But it is the Fashion here to abuse that Nobleman as the Author of all Mischief.'
