Print: Baxter CL 292 – A well-known and sought after Baxter print showing this major event of the day.
Courtney Lewis in 1924 described this better than I can: “This was probably the most elaborate funeral in our history. The body of the Iron Duke was removed from Chelsea Hospital to the Horse Guards. It was one hour and a half from the starting of the head of the procession before the Funeral Car was in motion, but it was much more of a show than the taste of these days would tolerate, and it was marred by the dreadful funeral car which Baxter shows in the print. This monstrosity was designed by a German, under the direction of Prince Albert, and it was only the then existence of Temple Bar which prevented it being higher than it was. There were 15,000 persons in the Cathedral itself and millions lined the route, the crowd being kept in order by the then new Police, "Peelers" or "Bobbies," as they were then, and sometimes now, called, in their high hats and swallow tail coats. The cortege is seen drawing up to St. Paul's Cathedral at 12.9 by the clock (November 18th, 1852). Baxter says it was "Sketched from No. 1 St. Paul's by the Patentee." Every detail is complete, and each figure in itself forms a perfect miniature. (Note, in the centre, the deceased Duke's charger, presumably "Copenhagen," with his master's top boots reversed, as well as the enormous ugly catafalque drawn up by Queen Anne's statue in front of St. Paul's.)
The print was produced from a plate and eight blocks and was originally sold at 1s. 6d.
Date: 1852
Approx. size (cm ht x w): 21.5 x 19 (mount)
State: On stamped Mount as issued
Condition: Excellent colours, a single spot to the sky to the right else one of the best copies I have seen