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Pair Antique Vanity Fair Spy Prints
Sold by Antique Furniture Direct
Id #SA1200281
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Pair Antique Vanity Fair Spy Prints

19th century
Sold 16 July 2026 · Antique Furniture Direct
This “Pair Antique Vanity Fair Spy Prints” found a buyer.

It was listed by Antique Furniture Direct. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

A pair of Vanity Fair framed Spy prints, printed by Vincent Brooks Day & Son. Mounted and glazed in glossy black frames, these antique prints are a great way to bring a little satirical humour to your wall.

Vanity Fair was a weekly magazine published in Britain from 1868 to 1914 and offered a satirical take on Victorian society, publishing articles on fashion, current events and the latest scandals. A full-page colour lithograph caricature of a contemporary celebrity or dignitary appeared in most issues, and it is for these caricatures that Vanity Fair is best known today. The primary artists were Carlo Pellegrini “Ape” and Leslie Ward “Spy”, and it is because of the latter artist as to why these prints are often collectively referred to as “Spy Prints”.

This Pair includes:

“Statesmen No.251”, A caricature portrait of Mr. Jacob Bright, M.P. originally published on May 5 1877 in Vanity Fair. By artist Leslie Ward “Spy”.

“Statesmen No.241”, A caricature portrait of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain M.P. originally published on January 27 1877 in Vanity Fair. By artist Leslie Ward “Spy”.

Construction:

Framed antique prints

Condition Report:

Original condition with Scuffs, wear and marks commensurate with age. Some foxing and stains to prints in places.

Frame Dimensions:

Height: 48cm

Width: 32cm

Depth: 1cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
48cm (18.90")
Width
32cm (12.60")
Depth
1cm (0.39")
Declaration

Antique Furniture Direct has dated these Antique Vanity Fair Prints to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1200281
Dealers Notes

Purchase Items on Our website: ----- www.AntiqueFurnitureDirect.co.uk ------

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Description
A pair of Vanity Fair framed Spy prints, printed by Vincent Brooks Day & Son.
“
Mounted and glazed in glossy black frames, these antique prints are a great way to bring a little satirical humour to your wall.
Antique Furniture Direct
fig 1. A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts.
fig 1. Pair Antique Vanity Fair Spy Prints

Vanity Fair was a weekly magazine published in Britain from 1868 to 1914 and offered a satirical take on Victorian society, publishing articles on fashion, current events and the latest scandals. A full-page colour lithograph caricature of a contemporary celebrity or dignitary appeared in most issues, and it is for these caricatures that Vanity Fair is best known today. The primary artists were Carlo Pellegrini “Ape” and Leslie Ward “Spy”, and it is because of the latter artist as to why these prints are often collectively referred to as “Spy Prints”.

fig 2. A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts.
fig 2. Pair Antique Vanity Fair Spy Prints

This Pair includes:

“Statesmen No.251”, A caricature portrait of Mr. Jacob Bright, M.P. originally published on May 5 1877 in Vanity Fair. By artist Leslie Ward “Spy”.

“Statesmen No.241”, A caricature portrait of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain M.P. originally published on January 27 1877 in Vanity Fair. By artist Leslie Ward “Spy”.

fig 3. A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts.
fig 3. Pair Antique Vanity Fair Spy Prints

Construction:

Framed antique prints

Condition Report:

Original condition with Scuffs, wear and marks commensurate with age. Some foxing and stains to prints in places.

Frame Dimensions:

Height: 48cm

Width: 32cm

Depth: 1cm

Height
48cm (18.90")
Width
32cm (12.60")
Depth
1cm (0.39")
Date of Manufacture

Antique Furniture Direct has dated these Antique Vanity Fair Prints to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1200281
Antique Furniture Direct
Antique Furniture Direct
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2013
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Antique Furniture Direct Profile Page

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A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts. SOLD16 JUL 26
1 / 13
Archive I A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts. SOLD16 JUL 26

Pair Antique Vanity Fair Spy Prints

Archive II A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts. View II
Archive III A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts. View III
Archive IV A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts. View IV
Archive V A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts. View V
Archive VI A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts. View VI
Archive VII A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts. View IX
Archive X A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts. View X
Archive XI A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts. View XI
Archive XII A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts. View XII
Archive XIII A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts. View XIII
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07528 604 958
Location
Leeds
Yorkshire
United Kingdom

By apointment only.
Verified Since Aug 2013
Items For Sale 124
Items Sold 3,006
Antique Furniture Direct
Antique Furniture Direct
Verified Since Aug 2013
View Dealer Info
Location: Leeds, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, , By apointment only.
Verified
Aug 2013
For Sale
124
Sold
3,006
A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts.
Pair Antique Vanity Fair Spy Prints
Ref: SA1200281
A pair of framed antique Vanity Fair Spy caricatures featuring prominent Victorian figures in black frames with cream mounts.
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Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • Object[Framed Prints]
  • Period19th century
  • Style[Victorian]
  • Material[Paper, Wood, Glass]
  • Colour[Black, Multicoloured]
  • MotifsChromolithograph, Caricature, Artist signature
  • SizeH 48 cm (19 in) x W 32 cm (13 in) x D 1 cm (0 in)

Vanity Fair prints are chromolithographic caricatures of prominent Victorian and Edwardian figures, published in the British magazine Vanity Fair between 1869 and 1914, most famously illustrated by Leslie Ward under the pseudonym Spy.

These prints were primarily produced as chromolithographs or lithographs on heavy paper stock, often hand-tinted, and are typically framed behind glass with paper backing and wood or gilt moulding.

Authentic prints feature the artists signature or pseudonym (such as Spy or Ape), the subjects name and publication date along the bottom margin, and the characteristic dot-matrix pattern of period lithography rather than modern pixelation.

These pieces work well when grouped in pairs or galleries on narrow wall spaces or study walls, using minimalist black or dark wood frames to ground their historical character against contemporary neutral walls.

To prevent fading and paper degradation, hang prints away from direct sunlight, avoid areas of high humidity, and ensure they are framed with acid-free mats and UV-protective glazing.
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