Historiated Initial “B”
Description:
A man in a long cape and cloth cap holds a cane in his right hand and a large letter “B” in his left as he walks. He has a beard and moustache, and a rimmed black hat hangs from his neck.
Copyright:
Copyright 2009, Department of Special Collections, Memorial Library, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Primary Works:
Vagabondiana, or, Anecdotes of mendicant wanderers through the streets of London (1817)
Accession Number:
Thordarson T 4263
Height (in centimeters):
6
Width (in centimeters):
4
Printing Context
This image illustrates the preface of Vagabondiana, or, Anecdotes of mendicant wanderers through the streets of London: with portraits of the most remarkable, drawn from the life, by John Thomas Smith (London, 1817).Associated Texts
The "B" initiates the following passage:Beggary, of late, particularly for the last six years, had become so dreadful in London, that the more active interference of the legislature was deemed absolutely necessary; indeed the deceptions of the idle and sturdy were so various, cunning, and extensive, that it was in most instances extremely difficult to discover the real object of charity from the imposter.Concluding, therefore, from the reduction of the metropolitan beggars, that several curious characters would disappear by being either compelled in industry, or to partake of the liberal parochial rates, provided for them in their respective work-houses, it occurs to the author of the present publication, that likenesses of the most remarkable of them, with a few particulars of their habits, would not be unamusing [sic] to those to whom they have been a pest for several years.In order to convince his Readers that he does not stand alone as a delineator of mendicants, he begs leave to observe, that several of the very first-rate artists have studied from them. (Smith v-vi)
Subject
This image features text which, like an illuminated manuscript, begins with a decorated letter. The "B" of the text is carried by a beggar, consequently giving a visual synecdoche of the written topic, "beggary."Theme
Vagabondism. Begging. Personal Property. Literacy. Theft.Significance
The historiated initials that pepper Smith’s Vagabondiana seem worth highlighting as they propose a specific relationship between movement, literacy, and commodity. The printed word and the books which collect, contain and distribute language in its written form allow language to be bought, sold and owned as a material object. As commodities operating within an economy based on personal property, texts are thus subject to theft, vandalism, and misuse. The man that both personifies beggary and entwines his body with the inauguratory letter of the word that seeks to classify him seems also to execute the action for which the beggar is best known—he picks up the letter and moves on as if to take the letter from the page. Elsewhere in the text we find figures vandalizing and molesting letters as if they are pieces of property, which can likewise be picked up and carried off.Function
The historiated initial beginning the text featured in this image provides the first letter in the word “Beggary.” Historiated initials are enlarged letters that are decorated or occupied by figures of humans, animals, foliage, etc. These embellishments may be simply ornamental, or (as in the case of Vagabondiana) they may have a narrative or symbolic purpose. Here, the human figure reiterates the theme of the text and illustrates the meaning of the word it helps to articulate.Bibliography
Alexander, J.J.G.. The Decorated Letter. New York: Braziller, 1978. Print.Long Title
"Historiated Initial” 1817Featured in Exhibit:
Engraver:
Image Date:
1817
